(UPDATE) TOKYO — US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Japan's Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani agreed in a phone call Friday to continue efforts to strengthen the countries' alliance, Tokyo said.
Hegseth — a former infantryman and Fox News personality — was sworn in last weekend, having narrowly won Senate confirmation despite allegations of alcohol abuse, sexual misconduct and concerns over inexperience.
REINFORCING ALLIANCES Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani speaks to the media inside the Diet in Tokyo on Jan. 31, 2025. AFP Photo