Japan-U.S. Ties Key to Deterring China ‘Aggression’: Pentagon

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (L) speaks during a joint press conference with Japan's Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi after their meeting at the defense ministry in Tokyo on October 29, 2025. (Photo by Eugene Hoshiko / POOL / AFP)

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said Wednesday the Japan-U.S. alliance was “critical to deterring Chinese military aggression”, as his Japanese counterpart confirmed plans to accelerate a defense spending target.

The comments came in the wake of the first face-to-face meeting Tuesday between U.S. President Donald Trump and new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, where security was a major topic.

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by Agence France-Presse

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