Japan and the United States have agreed to boost joint production of defence equipment, including missiles, and expand their military presence in waters southwest of mainland Japan.
They made this agreement as China also increased pressure on its Asian neighbour.
The agreement came after Japanese defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi met Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth in Washington, where they also pledged to further cooperation on supply chains, including critical minerals.
Recall that Japan and China are embroiled in a heated diplomatic spat caused by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s suggestion in November that Japan could intervene militarily if China attacks Taiwan.