Tokyo: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi underscored their commitment to strengthening the bilateral alliance amid "severe" security threats from China, during their first in-person meeting in Tokyo.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the defense leaders discussed various bilateral and regional security issues, focusing on enhancing command and control frameworks and expanding bilateral training exercises. They both acknowledged the severity of the current regional threat environment, primarily due to China's ongoing military expansion.
During a joint press conference, Hegseth highlighted the urgency of the threats, stating, "China's unprecedented military buildup and its aggressive military actions speak for themselves." He emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance in deterring Chinese aggression and addressing regional contingencies. Koizumi echoed these concerns, pointing out China's lack of transparency in its rapidly increasing defense budget and military capabilities.
Their unified stance against Chinese threats aligns with Washington's strategy to strengthen regional alliances amid rising tensions over maritime security, trade, and technological leadership. Notably, the defense chiefs did not address North Korean threats during their conference, despite recent missile tests by Pyongyang.
In the latter part of the day, Hegseth visited Yokota Air Base to meet U.S. service members, emphasizing the strategic importance of their presence in Japan to deter Chinese actions. Hegseth clarified that the objective is not to provoke conflict but to maintain strong deterrence through robust warfighting capabilities.
Hegseth's visit to Asia includes stops in Malaysia, Vietnam, and South Korea. During his upcoming two-day visit to South Korea, he plans to visit the Demilitarized Zone, participate in the Security Consultative Meeting, and meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.