Japan, US discuss boosting defence equipment production: Koizumi, US defense chief

2026-05-30

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Singapore on the 30th. They discussed how to move forward with joint development and production of missiles, and Koizumi also outlined Japan's efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities.

Missile production and information sharing

The meeting lasted about one hour. Japan and the US have already agreed to step up production of items including the SM3 Block 2A for intercepting ballistic missiles and the AMRAAM air-to-air missile. Koizumi proposed Operation Supercharge to accelerate development and production, and discussed specific ways forward with Hegseth.

He also welcomed the operation of TRISHIP, a framework in which Japan, the US and Australia share information on missile defense. Koizumi also referred to Japan's removal of the 'five categories' that restricted exports of lethal defense equipment, and Hegseth praised the move.

Deterrence and regional situation

The two confirmed a policy of strengthening deterrence to dissuade adversaries from attacking and response capabilities to prevent attacks in the event of an emergency. With Japan's remote islands in the southwest in mind, they will strengthen cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces and US forces. The regional situation in East Asia, including the threat from China, was also on the agenda, and they agreed to respond calmly and firmly to any situation.

After the meeting, Koizumi told reporters that discussions on defense spending were not based on any specific amount or conclusion. Asked whether there had been any request for cooperation such as the dispatch of naval vessels to the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East, he said there had been no specific request.

Maintaining US engagement in the Indo-Pacific

Since the attack on Iran, there had been concerns that the US was shifting its security focus from areas around Japan to the Middle East, creating a power vacuum. At the meeting, the two confirmed that the US military would continue to be involved in security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Hegseth gave a speech the same day at the Shangri-La Dialogue, the Asia security conference, in which he showed caution toward China. Koizumi said this was 'a clear indication that the US places importance on the Indo-Pacific.'

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