Japan's Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro has told his US counterpart that Japan will further strengthen its defense capabilities. The remark followed a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and US President Donald Trump in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Koizumi and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met at the Japanese Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Wednesday morning for the first time since Koizumi assumed his post. The meeting lasted for approximately one hour.
Koizumi shared with Hegseth the government's plan for further boosting Japan's defense capabilities. The plan includes a review of three national security documents, including the National Security Strategy.
The defense chiefs agreed to enhance deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US alliance and fulfill the two countries' responsibilities towards ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The two also confirmed that Japan and the United States will boost cooperation on manufacturing missiles and maintaining US military vessels and aircraft.
In a joint news conference after the meeting, Koizumi described the talks as fruitful, noting that the two had a candid discussion on the future of the bilateral alliance.
Japan's new defense chief said both the international order and the security environment are facing grave challenges. Koizumi added that he will take whatever opportunities possible to communicate and work with Hegseth to clear a viable path going forward.

Quiz 1:
Who met with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Tokyo on Wednesday morning?
A. Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae
B. Japan's Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro
C. International Security Advisor for Japan
D. Indo-Pacific Peace Ambassador

Quiz 2:
What is one of the three national security documents that Japan plans to review?
A. National Defense Strategy
B. Indo-Pacific Stability Plan
C. National Security Strategy
D. International Cooperation Agreement

Quiz 3:
What will Japan and the United States boost cooperation on in terms of defense capabilities?
A. Missile manufacturing
B. Maintaining Japanese military vessels and aircraft
C. Cybersecurity measures
D. Humanitarian aid operations