TOKYO: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is planning to visit Japan next week to meet with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, it was learned Wednesday.

Through the visit, Tokyo and Washington aim to confirm the two countries’ intention to further beef up their alliance before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January, Japanese government sources said.

Austin and Nakatani met in Italy in October and in Australia last month, so they will be meeting for the third consecutive month if Austin makes the visit.

The defense chiefs are seen agreeing on the need to continue the strengthening of deterrence and response capabilities, promoted under the administration of current US President Joe Biden, as North Korea continues its nuclear and missile development and as China ramps up coercive actions.

They are also expected to agree on deepening defense cooperation in the domain of space, after the US Space Force’s Japan unit, set up at the Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, officially began operations Wednesday.

JIJI Press