U.S: DOD : Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru MARCH 13, 2024

 

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru MARCH 13, 2024 Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held a call today with Japan's Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru. The two officials welcomed ongoing and close coordination between the United States and Japan on the resumption of flight operations of V-22 Osprey aircraft by U.S. Forces Japan and the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Secretary Austin underscored that the safety of U.S. servicemembers and Japanese communities remains a top priority for the Department as V-22 aircraft in Japan prepare to return to flight. The two officials also reaffirmed their commitment to further defense cooperation between the United States and Japan at a time of historic progress toward shared Alliance priorities for a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Austin expressed his hope that the two officials would have an opportunity to meet again in person soon.