Japan is set to revise its National Defense Strategy later this year.

Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi reaffirmed Tokyo’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and underscored the importance of the two countries’ unity and leadership in addressing challenges.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US-Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of regional peace and security, adding that both countries need to develop new tools to address growing threats that violate international rules.