A Pentagon readout said Hegseth and Nakatani “reiterated the importance of deepening defense cooperation to strengthen deterrence and to advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”, adding that the two defense chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to advance ongoing work to modernize Alliance command and control and expand bilateral presence in Japan’s southwest islands and that both the Secretary and the Minister agreed to remain in close contact on areas of mutual security interest.
Along with existing forces forward deployed in Japan, the U.S. has eight USAF MQ-9 Reapers Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and six U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9 Reapers stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, carrying out Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions around the southwest region of Japan with the USAF MQ-9s on an indefinite deployed while the Marine Corps MQ-9s are expected to complete their deployment in August. The Marine Corps also conducts exercises such as Resolute Dragon and Iron Fist around the southwest islands.
Japan’s Ministry of Defence on Friday issued a release on similar lines and also stating that the two defense chiefs reaffirmed that Article V of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security applies to the Senkaku Islands. The Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea are an uninhabited group of islands administered by Japan but claimed by China and Taiwan. The release also stated that the two defense chiefs expressed their willingness to meet in person at the earliest possible time.
In his regularly scheduled press conference, held after his call with Hegseth, Nakatani stated that he was encouraged by the affirmation that Article V included the Senkaku Islands, calling it ‘a reaffirmation of the unwavering commitment of the U.S. to the defense of Japan.’. Nakatani also stated that the conversation was cheerful and positive and that both of them shared the common experience of having being infantry platoon leaders and dealing with counterterrorism issues.
The Japanese Defense Minister declined to give specific details of the 40 minute conversation but said that both defense chiefs agreed to work together to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance amid the increasingly severe security environment in the Indo-Pacific region, “through today’s telephone conversation, Secretary Hegseth and I were able to confirm that we share the same views on the significance of the unparalleled Japan-U.S. alliance and that the persistent efforts of both countries to strengthen deterrence are essential for peace and stability in the region,” said Nakatani.
Hegseth also had a phone call with Acting South Korea Minister of National Defense Kim Seon-ho, a Pentagon readout stated that the two leaders discussed the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and the strength of the U.S.-ROK Alliance, “ Secretary Hegseth reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defending the ROK under President Trump’s leadership and both leaders also reiterated their shared focus on maintaining a strong combined U.S.-ROK defense posture.”, stated the readout which added that both defense agreed to remain in close contact moving forward.
South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense issued a release on the call, stating that the two defense chiefs reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-ROK alliance and agreed to work closely together, “Secretary Hegseth reaffirmed the ironclad commitment of the United States to the defense of the Republic of Korea and pledged to work closely with the ROK to further solidify the ROK-US alliance based on the longstanding trust and friendship between the two countries.”, read the release which added that the two defense chiefs shared the view that maintaining the continuity of the alliance through a robust combined defense posture and stable management of alliance issues to effectively deter and respond to North Korea’s evolving nuclear and missile threats is more important than ever.
The release also stated that both Hegseth and Kim expressed grave concerns about the deepening Russia-North Korea military cooperation, and agreed to respond through close cooperation with the international community, as this poses a serious threat to security not only on the Korean Peninsula but also around the world. The release also stated that the two defense chiefs agreed to continue to maintain and develop ROK-US-Japan security cooperation based on the ROK-US alliance to deter North Korean threats not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the Indo-Pacific region.
The release concluded by stating that both Hegseth and Kim agreed that close U.S.-ROK cooperation is a key factor in the development of the alliance into a “global comprehensive strategic alliance,” and agreed to communicate frequently on key issues of the alliance.
