Japan and U.S. Agree to Strengthen Defense Alliance

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth agreed to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance during a telephone call on Friday. The discussion occurred following Koizumi's reappointment to the Cabinet of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Koizumi expressed a strong sense of urgency regarding the need to enhance Japan's defense capabilities. The Takaichi administration is currently preparing to revise three key national security documents by the end of 2026. To align with South Korea and NATO, the Japanese government is considering raising its midterm defense spending target to 3.5% of its gross domestic product.

The two nations are also negotiating host nation support for U.S. forces stationed in Japan. These talks come amid concerns that the United States will request a significant increase in funding. The Ministry of Defence of Japan has already submitted a budget request of nearly ¥9 trillion for the next fiscal year.