Japan and US Agree to Strengthen Security Cooperation

Tokyo (ANTARA) - Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have agreed to advance bilateral security cooperation and strengthen deterrence and response capabilities.

According to a statement from the Japanese Ministry of Defence on Saturday, the agreement was discussed by Koizumi and Hegseth during a telephone conversation on Friday night (18/9) local time.

In the statement from the ministry, Koizumi informed Hegseth that Japan feels a strong sense of urgency to accelerate its defence development.

Meanwhile, Hegseth offered his congratulations to Koizumi on his reappointment as Japan’s defence minister following the cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Hegseth expressed his desire to work more closely with Japan in the future.

Both parties also agreed to hold a face-to-face meeting in the near future, according to the ministry’s statement.