Affirming the strong alliance, the US and Japan take important military steps.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reviews an honor guard at the Japanese Defense Ministry in Tokyo, Japan, June 1. (Source: Reuters)

Mr. Austin met with Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and will also hold talks with his host counterpart Hamada Yasukazu. The US Defense Secretary will pay a courtesy call on Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida later in the day.

Speaking ahead of talks with his Japanese counterpart, Mr Austin said the US-Japan alliance faced “common challenges”. “We are united by our common interests and values. And we are taking important steps to renew the alliance and strengthen deterrence.”

The Pentagon chief mentioned trilateral US-Japan cooperation with Australia as well as South Korea and the "pace, scope, scale" of expanding military exercises and training.

US and Japanese forces are becoming "more flexible, resilient and mobile", he said, welcoming Tokyo's decision to acquire counter-strike capabilities and increase information sharing with Washington.