US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is visiting Japan today, the Associated Press reported press, quoted by BTA.
During his visit, Austin will meet with senior Japanese officials to underscore the importance of bilateral cooperation and reaffirm the U.S. commitment to regional security amid threats from China and North Korea.
The visit takes place in the context of the emergency landing of an American hybrid military aircraft “Osprey“ at an air force base in New Mexico last month. The plane avoided a crash until a similar incident last year off the southwestern coast of Japan ended in a fatal outcome.
The model “Osprey“ is also in service with the Japanese armed forces, raising concerns in Tokyo about its reliability. The issue has been discussed by Japanese authorities with Washington, with Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi saying today that the serviceability of these war machines remains a priority issue for the country.
The editorial highlights the key themes of the visit, emphasizing bilateral cooperation and significant challenges.