US Defense Secretary In Japan To Strengthen Regional Security

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a joint news conference with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, at

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is currently in Japan to meet with Japanese officials and reinforce the significance of their alliance, particularly in the face of escalating threats from China and North Korea. This visit coincides with mounting concerns regarding the safety of Osprey military aircraft, which have been grounded in the U.S. following a recent incident at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico. The incident, attributed to weakened metal components, bore similarities to a fatal crash in southwestern Japan last year.

Despite the U.S. grounding, Ospreys operated by Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force remain unaffected. Japanese authorities are engaged in discussions with the U.S. military to address the issue appropriately, as confirmed by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.

During his visit, Austin is slated to engage in separate discussions with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Nakatani emphasized the importance of collaboration between Japan, the U.S., South Korea, and other regional partners, particularly in light of escalating tensions.

The trilateral partnership among Japan, the U.S., and South Korea has notably strengthened under President Joe Biden's administration. However, ongoing political unrest in South Korea introduces new uncertainties to this alliance.

Osprey aircraft grounded in U.S. due to safety concerns after incidents in Japan and U.S.

Secretary Austin in Japan to reinforce alliance with focus on China and North Korea threats.

Japanese Ospreys unaffected; discussions ongoing between Japan and U.S. on safety issues.

Prior to his meetings, Austin visited the USS George Washington, a nuclear-powered flagship aircraft carrier stationed at the U.S. Navy base in Yokosuka, near Tokyo. He underscored the critical nature of U.S. cooperation with regional allies and partners, highlighting China as the sole country with the intent and capability to disrupt the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region.

Austin emphasized the importance of maintaining open access to freedom of navigation and international airways in the region. He reiterated the commitment to collaborating with allies and partners to safeguard these principles.

The USS George Washington, currently undergoing maintenance in Yokosuka, will host the advanced F-35C stealth combat aircraft squadron, which is presently stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan.