ISTANBUL

Japan and the US have agreed to strengthen their security alliance amid growing tensions in the Asia-Pacific, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said Friday.

After his first phone conversation with new US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Nakatani said they reaffirmed that the Japan-US security treaty applies to the Senkaku Islands, which Tokyo controls but Beijing also claims as the Diaoyu Islands.

The uninhabited islands have long been a point of contention between the two countries.

Nakatani said Hegseth’s remarks reflected Washington’s “unwavering commitment” to Japan’s defense, according to the Kyodo news agency.

The two ministers also agreed to bolster deterrence and response capabilities and discussed holding an in-person meeting soon, though no date has been set.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is planning a visit to the US for his first summit with Trump on Feb. 7.

South Korea, US vow stronger alliance amid rising threats

South Korea’s acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho and Hegseth reaffirmed the need to strengthen the alliance during a phone call Friday, calling it a “linchpin” for regional stability, Yonhap reported.

Hegseth reiterated Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to Seoul’s defense amid North Korea’s evolving nuclear threats.

Both sides stressed the importance of maintaining a strong combined defense posture to deter these threats.

They also pledged to enhance trilateral security cooperation with Japan and voiced concerns over North Korea-Russia military ties, vowing a united response to "global security threats."