Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the Philippines on the 28th, where the two presented a united front on strengthening defense capabilities with China's military buildup in mind.
According to the Ministry of Defense, Koizumi told Hegseth that Japan will strengthen its "denial defense" capabilities. The phrase comes from the US National Defense Strategy and refers to the ability to block an attack and thereby deter one.
Koizumi said in a speech on the 23rd that the concept would be included in the three security-related documents now being revised, a stance that appears intended to show Japan is falling in line with US strategy.
The US side's account of the meeting matched that language, saying the two agreed on the importance of strengthening defense capabilities to achieve "denial defense" along the First Island Chain linking Taiwan with Okinawa and Kyushu. The phrasing signaled consideration for Japan, which is mindful of its relationship with China.
Difficult negotiations remain
The alignment leaves hard bargaining over defense spending and the cost of stationing US forces in Japan, and the talks are expected to reach a critical stage toward the end of the year.