The governments of the United States and Japan are coordinating plans to hold a bilateral defense ministers' meeting in Japan in late next month, Kyodo News reported on the 11th.
Based on the outcomes of the US-Japan summit held at the White House on the 7th (local time), the defense ministers of both countries are expected to confirm close security cooperation policies and discuss specific measures targeting China, which is showing hegemonic tendencies.
Additionally, with the launch of the Joint Operations Command, an organization established to unify the command of the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces, scheduled for next month, discussions are also expected on improving the command and control system between the US military and the Self-Defense Forces.
Kyodo News also reported that strengthening the defense system of the Nansei Islands, Japanese islands close to Taiwan, and the relocation of US military airbases in Okinawa Prefecture are likely to be major agenda items.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen had their first phone call on the 31st of last month, and if this meeting takes place, it will be their first face-to-face meeting.
Kyodo News mentioned, "There is a possibility that Japan's defense spending (defense budget) and policies to strengthen defense capabilities will be discussed at the defense ministers' meeting," noting that President Trump expressed expectations for an increase in Japan's defense spending at the US-Japan summit, which could lead to demands for Japan to increase its defense burden.
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