U.S., Japan defense chiefs reaffirm nuclear deterrence and "counterstrike capabilities

 

U.S., Japan defense chiefs reaffirm nuclear deterrence and "counterstrike capabilities

WASHINGTON -- The Japanese and American defense chiefs met in the U.S. capital Wednesday to make sure they were on the same page as Russia's Ukraine invasion and China's increasing assertiveness reshape the Indo-Pacific security landscape.
 
Nobuo Kishi and American counterpart Lloyd Austin agreed to maintain U.S. nuclear deterrence and align the two nations' security strategies.
 
"We want to work to ensure we can continue to count on extended U.S. deterrence, including nuclear," Kishi said at the 75-minute meeting.
 
The two also touched on expanding Japan's defense capabilities, including "counterstrike capabilities," maintaining the status quo and weapons deals.
 
The meeting laid the groundwork for President Joe Biden's first visit to Japan in office later this month.

 

Japan and U.K. set to agree on defense exercises pact

Eased rules to pave way for more frequent joint military drills

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and British counterpart Boris Johnson are set to agree in principle on a bilateral defense pact designed to facilitate joint military exercises.