Japan, US intend to step up joint military exercises

Japanese and U.S. military officials have announced plans to intensify joint exercises and strengthen their defence alliance amid growing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. The decision followed high-level talks held in Tokyo between Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Both sides agreed to expand the scale and frequency of joint military drills, as well as deepen intelligence and data sharing with allied nations, including South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“To strengthen the greatest alliance in the world — the Japan–U.S. alliance — we must first improve the structure of joint command, enhance our combined presence, and step up the frequency of our exercises,” said Minister Koizumi, outlining Tokyo’s strategic priorities.

Hegseth described the regional security environment surrounding Japan as “severe,” accusing China of “aggressive military actions” that threaten regional stability. He stressed that these developments highlight the necessity of a strong U.S.–Japan partnership to ensure deterrence and peace in the Indo-Pacific.

The US needs to “continue building strong lethal combat, credible forces that are ready to deter war, and if necessary, fight and fight to win,” Hegseth stated at a joint briefing.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also reaffirmed her government’s intention to “fundamentally reinforce its defence capabilities,” calling the current stage of relations between Tokyo and Washington a “new golden age.”

Koizumi added that Japan would review its National Security Strategy and related policy documents to meet a defence spending target of 2% of GDP — a move aligned with Tokyo’s pledge to modernise its Self-Defense Forces.

While welcoming Japan’s commitment, Hegseth noted that Washington had made no specific demands. “We don’t have to stand here and tell Japan what it needs to do, because we both look out at the world and see the threat of a Chinese military buildup,” he said.

By Vugar Khalilov