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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met to enhance their defense alliance, focusing on deterrence capabilities amid concerns about U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

They discussed increasing Japan's defense spending and plans to revise key security documents. The two nations agreed to boost joint production of defense equipment, including missiles, and expand military presence in waters southwest of Japan.

This comes amid rising tensions with China over Taiwan. Japan's military budget is set to reach a record nine trillion yen for the upcoming fiscal year.