Strengthening Alliances
U.S. Defense Secretary met with Japanese officials, including Prime Minister and Defense Minister , to reaffirm the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance and commitment to regional security amidst threats from and .
Austin emphasized the significance of trilateral cooperation with Japan and South Korea for regional stability, despite political turmoil in South Korea affecting the partnership.
Safety and Strategic Operations
Concerns over military aircraft safety led to grounding in the and , following incidents of weakened metal components, affecting operations except for disaster relief and other missions.
Austin stressed the importance of freedom of navigation and airspace in the , highlighting China's intent to change the rules-based international order, and underscoring U.S. commitment to working with allies for regional security.