Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel spoke by phone this evening with Mr. Itsunori Onodera, the former minister of defense for Japan.
Secretary Hagel thanked Mr. Onodera for his leadership and partnership while he was the minister of defense, particularly his efforts on revising the U.S.-Japan Guidelines for Defense Cooperation. Secretary Hagel indicated that he looks forward to working with his successor.
Immediately following his call with Mr. Onodera, Secretary Hagel spoke by phone with Japan’s new Minister of Defense Akinori Eto. It was the first conversation between the two leaders.
Secretary Hagel congratulated Minister Eto on his appointment, and indicated that he looks forward to working with him to continue growing and strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance.