Hegseth welcomes Japan’s arms spending increase, says U.S.-Japan alliance key to deter China
Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, right, and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shake hands after a joint press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on October 29, 2025. | Photo Credit: AP U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday (October 29, 2025) welcomed Japan’s determination to accelerate its ongoing military buildup and defense spending….