US and Japan Defence Chiefs Address Escalating Regional Tensions

Amid rising regional tensions, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japan's Shinjiro Koizumi discussed recent incidents involving Chinese military actions. They agreed on maintaining close communication to defuse tensions. Both reaffirmed the US-Japan alliance's role in regional stability, emphasizing increased defense capabilities and realistic training exercises.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi engaged in a significant phone discussion addressing the escalating tensions in the region. This follows incidents involving radar lock-on between Japanese and Chinese fighter jets and a long-range patrol by Chinese and Russian bombers near Japan.

The two defence officials agreed on the necessity of maintaining close communication to alleviate the situation. They highlighted Japan's commitment to boosting its defence spending and strengthening its military capabilities. Additionally, the importance of realistic training exercises throughout Japan, especially in the Southwest Islands, was underscored, according to a Pentagon readout.

In response to incidents such as the Chinese fighter jet's radar targeting of Japanese aircraft, Koizumi assured ongoing surveillance and a calm but firm response. The officials criticized these actions as detrimental to regional peace and confirmed their commitment to the US-Japan alliance. The rising tensions follow declarations by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about potential military action, which have provoked responses from Beijing.