US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed Washington’s high expectations for Japan’s defense transformation in a statement released on May 26.
Hegseth underscored that the United States highly values Tokyo's efforts to modernize its Self-Defense Forces, particularly amid complex geopolitical shifts in the Indo-Pacific region. The US official said this transformation will help strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the US-Japan alliance.
The remarks came as Japan pushes forward with defense reforms, including increasing its defense budget and expanding preemptive strike capabilities. Tokyo is also seeking to enhance military cooperation with regional partners, such as exporting Mogami-class frigates to New Zealand and holding trilateral defense talks with Australia.
Analysts note that US support will be a key driver for Japan to continue its defense transformation path, which has sparked domestic debate and raised concerns among neighboring countries.
