Tokyo: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized Japan’s critical role in deterring Chinese military activity, particularly in the Taiwan Strait, during a meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in Tokyo on Sunday.
Hegseth described Japan as "indispensable" in strengthening U.S. defense efforts in the Indo-Pacific, calling it a cornerstone of regional stability. He highlighted the deep military ties between the two nations, praising their "warrior ethos" and shared strategic objectives.
The Pentagon signaled that President Donald Trump's administration remains committed to close collaboration with Japan, in line with previous U.S. governments. Japan currently hosts about 50,000 U.S. troops, along with fighter jet squadrons and the only forward-deployed U.S. aircraft carrier strike group, forming a crucial line of defense against Chinese expansion.
Hegseth’s remarks about Japan stood in contrast to his recent comments on European allies. In February, he warned them not to assume a permanent U.S. military presence in the region.
The defense secretary’s visit to Japan is part of his first official tour of Asia. Before arriving in Tokyo, he stopped in the Philippines and attended a memorial service on Iwo Jima on Saturday, marking 80 years since the island’s historic World War II battle.
