For the first time since taking office, Defense Minister Hamada held talks with Emmanuel, the US Ambassador to Japan, and confirmed that they would work closely together to strengthen the Japan-US alliance.
On the 16th, Minister of Defense Hamada had a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin, followed by a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to Japan Emmanuel at the Ministry of Defense on the afternoon of the 17th.
In this, Minister Hamada said, "We will work to drastically strengthen our defense capabilities through the formulation of a new national security strategy."
On the other hand, Ambassador Emmanuel touched on North Korea's apparent launch of a cruise missile on the 17th and the situation in the Taiwan Strait, stating that "there is no time to spare for the Japan-US alliance and common issues between the two countries."
In addition, the two leaders confirmed that they would continue to work closely together to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance.