"The United States will strengthen its presence in the Asia Pacific", he said.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has said he would expand America's nuclear arsenal to ensure it is at the "top of the pack" amid a heated war of words between the U.S. and North Korea.
Speaking aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan on April 19, Pence said North Korea was "the most unsafe and urgent threat to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific" region.
"Those who would challenge our resolve or readiness should know we will defeat any attack and meet any use of conventional or nuclear weapons with an overwhelming and effective American response".
"The United States of America will always seek peace but under President Trump, the shield stands guard and the sword stands ready", he added.
Pence arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday from South Korea and reassured Japan of U.S. commitment to reining in North Korea's nuclear and missile ambitions in a series of meetings with Japanese leaders, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
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On Wednesday, Pence also reaffirmed the U.S.'s commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and said its common defense alliance with Japan extended to islands also claimed by China.
Pyongyang regularly threatens to destroy the United States and amid heightened tension on the Korean peninsula, it has escalated a war of words, warning of full-out nuclear war if Washington takes military action against it.
Pence arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday from South Korea and reassured Japan of USA commitment to reining in North Korea's nuclear and missile ambitions in a series of meetings with Japan's leaders, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said all parties should make efforts to resolve the situation. Many have speculated that North Korea is gearing up to conduct a sixth nuclear test; it remains unclear exactly how the Trump administration would respond. "China expresses serious concern with recent trends about North Korea's nuclear and missile development", he said.
On April 15, the U.S. Navy published a photo showing the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson transiting the Sunda Strait between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra.
The vice president said the US would honor its alliance with Pacific Rim nations and protect freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, the sea lanes vital to global shipping where China has been staking claim to disputed territory.
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