Japan, U.S. Defense Chiefs Reaffirm Close Cooperation

Washington, Jan. 15 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday reaffirmed close cooperation between their countries under the bilateral alliance. They met for some 50 minutes at the U.S. Defense Department in a Washington suburb. Asked by reporters whether responses to China were discussed, Koizumi said, “I can’t comment on details.” China has increased pressure on Japan following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks last November regarding a possible contingency over Taiwan. In addition, Chinese military aircraft used radar on Japanese Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets last month, an incident that heightened tensions between the East Asian nations. Under the circumstances, one of the focuses at the Koizumi-Hegseth meeting was whether Tokyo would be able to gain U.S. support over issues related to China. “We reconfirmed the important role played by the Japan-U.S. alliance for the deterrence against invasion in the Indo-Pacific region,” Koizumi told reporters. At the meeting, Koizumi stressed that the Japan-U.S. alliance is firm and unwavering, and asked Washington to cooperate for a U.S. trip planned this spring by Takaichi. 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 a revision planned by year-end of 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 highly evaluated Japan’s efforts to increase its defense spending while stopping short of mentioning a numerical target. 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.]