Defense Secretary Ashton Carter met with his Japanese counterpart Tuesday to discuss how to implement new guidelines for defense and technology cooperation between U.S. and Japan.
Mr. Carter and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani talked for an hour — during the second meeting between the two defense leaders — on ways to realign U.S. forces in Japan.
“Secretary Carter and Minister Nakatani emphasized the importance of keeping up the momentum from recent milestones to modernize the alliance, such as enhancing cyber and space security cooperation,” Defense Department officials said in a statement.
Mr. Carter also thanked Mr. Nakatani for Japan’s continual support for the Futenma Replacement Facility in Okinawa as part of the realignment of U.S. forces, the statement said.
Mr. Carter has said in the past that partnerships with Asian countries to develop new technologies are essential as China grows and prospers.
The two defense leaders will meet again soon at the upcoming Shangri-la Dialogue, an annual security conference held in Singapore.
• Maria Stainer can be reached at mstainer@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.