U.S., Japan, and Australia Strengthen Defense Ties Amid Regional Challenges
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin underscores the importance of alliances during his visit to Japan as military exercises and security concerns highlight growing regional tensions.
- Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin observed the Yama Sakura 87 military exercises in Japan, involving over 7,000 troops from the U.S., Japan, and Australia, marking the largest iteration of the drills since 1982.
- Austin reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance, emphasizing its role as a cornerstone of regional security and deterrence against threats from China, North Korea, and Russia.
- The U.S. military has temporarily grounded its Osprey aircraft fleet due to safety concerns following a recent near-crash, prompting Japan to suspend operations of its Ospreys as a precautionary measure.
- Austin criticized China's increasingly assertive behavior in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting its intent and capacity to challenge the rules-based international order and stressing the need for freedom of navigation in the region.
- During meetings with Japanese officials, Austin praised advancements in joint command structures and trilateral cooperation with South Korea, despite recent political instability in Seoul complicating regional dynamics.
Associated Press 
Newsweek 
ABC News 