US, Japanese defense chiefs highlight importance of increased defense investment during meeting in Philippines

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) defense chiefs’ summit Wednesday in the Philippines, the Pentagon said.

The two “reaffirmed the indispensable role of the U.S.-Japan Alliance in preserving peace and stability in the Pacific,” according to a readout.

They “underscored the importance of increased defense investment and continued strategic alignment to strengthen deterrence and implement an effective denial defense in the First Island Chain,” it said.

Hegseth and Koizumi also agreed to accelerate actions “to enable more agile and resilient operations, including flexible use of facilities and opportunities to rehearse distributed operations,” the readout added.

Both sides also committed to continued close coordination on critical munitions production.

Rabia İclal Turan