Tokyo: Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Friday expressed serious concerns over actions that could increase tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. During their telephone talks, they emphasized that a recent radar incident involving Chinese military aircraft was not conducive to regional peace and stability, as reported by Japan's Defense Ministry.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Koizumi and Hegseth agreed to maintain close communication and collaboration amid the increasingly severe security situation in the Indo-Pacific region. Their discussions followed an incident where a Chinese fighter jet intermittently aimed its radar at Japanese Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighters over international waters near Okinawa on December 6.
Koizumi affirmed that Japan would continue surveillance and monitoring activities in the surrounding airspace and waters and respond to any unexpected situations calmly and resolutely. He also briefed Hegseth on his recent visit to the Sakishima Islands in November, highlighting Japan's progress in reinforcing defense capabilities.
Furthermore, building on their agreement from a meeting on October 29 in Tokyo, the two defense chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to promoting various initiatives aimed at strengthening the Alliance capabilities to deter and respond swiftly and effectively.