Japan, U.S. Defense Chiefs Agree to Boost Deterrence

Washington, Jan. 15 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday agreed to boost the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance. Their talks, held at the U.S. Defense Department in the suburbs of Washington, lasted for around 50 minutes. Asked by reporters whether responses to China were discussed, Koizumi said, “I can’t comment on details.” Agreeing that expanding the Japan-U.S. presence in the Nansei southwestern region, including the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa, is one of the alliance’s top priorities, the two affirmed a plan to expand high-level joint exercises between Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military. The move reflects China’s increased activities in the East and South China seas. Koizumi and Hegseth also discussed cooperation in the defense equipment and technology fields, agreeing to hold further talks on drastically boosting production of the Standard Missile-3 Block 2A interceptor, co-developed by the two nations. China has piled military pressure on Japan since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks last November regarding a possible contingency over Taiwan. In addition, Chinese military aircraft used radar against Japanese Air SDF fighter jets last month, an incident that heightened tensions between the East Asian nations. In the circumstances, one of the focuses at the Koizumi-Hegseth meeting was whether Tokyo would be able to gain U.S. support on issues related to China. “We reconfirmed the important role played by the Japan-U.S. alliance for deterrence against an invasion in the Indo-Pacific region,” Koizumi told reporters. At the meeting, Koizumi emphasized that the Japan-U.S. alliance is firm and unwavering, and asked for Washington’s help in realizing Takaichi’s likely U.S. trip this spring. The U.S. visit would be the first for the prime minister since her inauguration last October. Koizumi explained Japan’s efforts to enhance its defense capabilities, such as revisions planned by year-end for the government’s three key national security-related documents, including the National Security Strategy. Hegseth quoted U.S. President Donald Trump as saying that the U.S.-Japan alliance is one of the most significant bilateral relationships in the world. The United States has urged its allies to expand defense spending. At the meeting with Koizumi, the Pentagon chief praised Japan’s efforts to increase its defense spending. According to Koizumi, the two sides did not discuss a numerical target for the boost in outlays. Koizumi also held a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the White House. They exchanged views on the regional security situation and Japan’s defense buildup. This is Koizumi’s first visit to the United States since he took office in October. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]