Department of Defense Spokesman Lt. Col. David Herndon provided the following readout:
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl visited Japan for a series of productive counterpart talks with the Government of Japan, June 16-17.
Reaffirming the strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance, Under Secretary Kahl met with Vice Minister of Defense SUZUKI Atsuo, Vice Minister of Defense for International Affairs OKA Masami, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs MORI Takeo, and National Security Advisor AKIBA Takeo. Under Secretary Kahl’s engagements advanced efforts to strengthen and modernize the U.S.-Japan Alliance, optimize force posture, and enhance cooperation with likeminded Allies and partners.
The Under Secretary’s visit to Japan underscores the progress of the U.S.-Japan Alliance following the historic January 2023 U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee (2+2) Meeting and Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III’s recent visit to the region. It also reaffirms our commitment to working in close partnership to preserve peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.