TOKYO: Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara will visit the United States in early October for talks with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, informed sources said Tuesday.

It will be Kihara’s first visit to the United States or overseas since taking office in mid-September.

The visit is aimed at demonstrating Japan-US unity at home and abroad in light of the current severe security environment surrounding Japan.

The Japanese and US defense chiefs are expected to confirm that the two countries will enhance their alliance’s deterrence and response capabilities and accelerate talks on strengthening integrated operations between the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the US military.

To prepare for contingencies in the Taiwan Strait, Kihara and Austin are expected to agree on the joint use of bases, ammunition depots and other facilities in the southwestern Japan region and the promotion of joint exercises.

They are also likely to discuss how to cooperate to make effective use of counterattack capabilities.

The Japanese and US defense chiefs will exchange views on the roles of Japan and the United States and the deepening of joint operations, with a view to establishing a permanent joint command for the Ground, Air and Maritime SDFs.

They will also discuss accelerating coordination on the joint development of a new type of interceptor missile to counter hypersonic weapons being developed and deployed by China, North Korea and Russia.

Ensuring the effectiveness of extended deterrence, including the nuclear umbrella, is also expected to be on the agenda.

JIJI Press