Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and U.S. Defense Secretary Hergses expressed concern about China's actions in the East China Sea and South China Sea during their first meeting in Tokyo on Wednesday (October 29). They agreed to enhance their response capabilities and pledged to achieve a "free and open Indo-Pacific region."
Following the close interaction between the Japanese and U.S. leaders, the defense ministers also agreed to closer military cooperation. Hergses and Koizumi reportedly held a meeting lasting about an hour, discussing topics including improving the Japan-U.S. command and control framework, expanding joint training in the southwestern region, advancing joint production of advanced medium-range missiles such as the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), and cooperation in space and cyberspace.
At a joint press conference, Hergses said that the Japan-U.S. alliance is crucial for containing China. He stated that both Japan and the U.S. recognize the threat from China, and the U.S. does not need to tell Japan what to do.
Koizumi also expressed concern about China, stating, "China is rapidly and massively expanding its military capabilities without sufficient transparency. As the world's strongest allies, Japan and the United States will fulfill their responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region."
Koizumi told the US that Japan will accelerate the building of a strong Self-Defense Force. Japan has moved forward its target of achieving 2% of GDP in military spending from fiscal year 2027 to fiscal year 2025. Furthermore, Japan will revise three security-related documents by the end of 2026.
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Hergész praised Koizumi's commitment to military development, saying that Japan's efforts to increase defense spending were outstanding.
After boarding the USS George Washington aircraft carrier with Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan would dedicate itself to fundamentally strengthening its defense capabilities to cope with an unprecedentedly severe security environment and threats. Japanese media reported that both Takaichi and Trump expressed concern about the North Korean nuclear issue and the situation in the Taiwan Strait.
The US government has consistently hinted that Japan needs to increase its defense spending to 3.5% of GDP. Analysts point out that military expansion is a decision made by the newly elected Takaichi administration, aiming to clearly define the Self-Defense Forces as a "national defense force" and adopt a more proactive military posture. If the US continues to demand increased military spending from Japan, it is effectively endorsing Takaichi's military expansion.
