Japan, US defense chiefs discuss security in Philippines | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News - NHKニュース

ASEAN defense ministers began their annual meeting in the Philippines.

Discussions -- led by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro -- are expected to focus on regional security cooperation amid the impact of the situation in Iran. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is also attending the gathering.

Ahead of the meeting, Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro held talks with Hegseth.

Koizumi outlined ongoing work to revise Japan's three key national security documents by the end of this year.

He said Japan will strengthen its "denial defense capabilities" to enhance the country's power to block any invasion.

The two ministers also agreed to further boost the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US alliance as China expands its military might and North Korea continues to develop its nuclear as well as missile programs.

They also agreed to establish a final assembly and check-out facility in Japan for the joint production of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles.

The two sides further confirmed they will cooperate on boosting cybersecurity in light of a string of cyberattacks in Japan.