Secretary of War Pete Hegseth traveled to Japan this week to support President Donald J. Trump's visit. Secretary Hegseth also met with Japanese counterparts and U.S. military leaders as part of the department's efforts to continue strengthening deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
On Oct. 28, Secretary Hegseth traveled to Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka alongside President Trump to meet with U.S. troops serving in Japan.
On Oct. 29, Secretary Hegseth met with Japan's newly appointed defense minister, Shinjirō Koizumi. During the meeting, the secretary reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance to deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. He welcomed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent commitment to increase defense spending and emphasized the need for both countries to take rapid steps to strengthen alliance capabilities.
Secretary Hegseth and Minister Koizumi also discussed the importance of improving command and control architectures, enhancing bilateral training and exercises, including live-fire training, and strengthening alliance force posture and presence, including in Japan's southwest islands.
Before departing, Secretary Hegseth visited U.S. Forces Japan headquarters to meet with the commander and U.S. service members stationed at Yokota Air Base.