Visit to Hawaii by Defense Minister Koizumi
On Monday, January 12, Defense Minister Koizumi visited Hawaii.
The summary is as follows. Note that date and time below are in local time.
１ Visit to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM)
On January 12, Defense Minister Koizumi visited U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and had a meeting with Admiral Paparo, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Defense Minister Koizumi candidly exchanged views on the security environment surrounding both countries and bilateral defense cooperation. They confirmed that they will continue to work closely together to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Alliance.
２ Visit to USS Arizona Memorial
On the same day, Defense Minister Koizumi visited the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor and laid a wreath with H.E. Mr. Glass, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Japan, Admiral Paparo, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Lieutenant General Jost, Commander, U.S. Forces, Japan, in attendance.
３ Visit to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
On the same day, Defense Minister Koizumi visited the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, “Punchbowl,” and laid a wreath with H.E. Mr. Glass, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Japan, , with Admiral Koehler, Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Lieutenant General Jost, Commander, U.S. Forces, Japan, in attendance.
４ Wreath Laying at Hawaiian Memorial Park
On the same day, Defense Minister Koizumi visited the Hawaiian Memorial Park and laid flowers at the grave of Mr. Hirofumi Mikami, a Nisei who translated Rear Admiral Ichimaru Rinosuke’s letter “A Message to President Roosevelt” into English, just before his death. The letter is still remembered in the United States today.
５ Meeting with General Brunson, Commander of U.S. Forces Korea
On the same day, Defense Minister Koizumi had a meeting with General Brunson, Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, Combined Forces Command, and United Nations Command. They confirmed the importance to further strengthen Japan-U.S.-ROK defense cooperation for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
６ Courtesy call on President Whipps of the Republic of Palau
On the same day, Defense Minister Koizumi paid a courtesy call on President Whipps of the Republic of Palau. They confirmed to further enhance collaboration between the two countries for peace and stability in the region.
[LINK] Courtesy Call on President of Palau
７ Keynote speech at the Honolulu Defense Forum
On the same day, Defense Minister Koizumi attended the Honolulu Defense Forum and delivered a keynote speech. He emphasized Japan’s resolve to further play a leading role in promoting the peace and stability of the region as countries in the region face common challenges.
[LINK] “The Role of Defense Community for the Peace and Prosperity of the Indo-Pacific”
Visit to Los Angeles by Defense Minister Koizumi
On Tuesday, January 13, Defense Minister Koizumi. The summary is as follows. Note that date and time below are in local time.
１ Visit to Neros Technologies
On January 13, Defense Minister Koizumi visited Neros Technologies and received an overview briefing on the company’s drone business.
２ Attendance at the reception hosted by the Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles
On the same day, Defense Minister Koizumi attended the reception hosted by the Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles commemorating the 15th anniversary of Operation Tomodachi and the JSDF’s 71st birthday. The event also functioned as a networking opportunity for the defense industries of Japan and the United States, with Defense Minister Koizumi leading promotional activities and holding discussions with representatives from Japanese and U.S. companies.
Visit to Washington, D.C. by Defense Minister Koizumi
On January 14, 15 and 16, Defense Minister Koizumi visited Washington, D.C. The summary is as follows. Note that date and time below are in local time.
１ Meeting with Members of the U.S. Congress
On Wednesday, January 14, Defense Minister Koizumi held meetings with Representative Adrian Smith; Senator William Hagerty; Senator Roger Wicker; Senator Pete Ricketts; Representative Mike Rogers; and Senator Chris Coons. Minister Koizumi expressed his appreciation for the U.S. Congress’s support for the Japan-U.S. Alliance and engaged in broad-ranging discussions, including the importance of a strong Alliance for the stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region. In the meetings, he expressed gratitude for the submission of the resolutions supporting Japan in both the House and the Senate last December, as it demonstrated the United States' commitment to its ally.
Representative Adrian Smith
Senator William Hagerty
Senator Roger Wicker
Senator Pete Ricketts
Representative Mike Rogers
Senator Chris Coons
２ Physical Training (PT)
In the early morning of January 15, Defense Minister Koizumi, together with SDF personnel, conducted physical training with Secretary of War Hegseth and the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment (Old Guard). They deepened their friendship through sweating together during U.S. military-style trainings.
３ Courtesy call on Hon. JD Vance, Vice President of the United States of America
On Jan 15 (local time), DM Koizumi visited the White House and paid a courtesy call on the Hon. JD Vance, Vice President of the United States of America. They discussed regional security environment and Japan’s efforts to strengthen defense capabilities.
４ Visit to Arlington National Cemetery
On January 15, Defense Minister Koizumi visited Arlington National Cemetery and laid a wreath. The cemetery is the resting place of approximately 400,000 veterans and their dependents.
５ Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting
On January 15, Defense Minister Koizumi held a Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting with Secretary of War Hegseth. Building on the personal ties, they concurred to promote various initiatives to further strengthen the Alliance capabilities to deter and respond, with a sense of urgency and speed, in order to respond to challendes posed by the changing security environment. He also received a briefing on the U.S. Department of War's policy on the utilization of AI.
[LINK] Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting (Summary)
６ Visit to Palantir Technologies
On January 16, Defense Minister Koizumi visited Palantir Technologies in Washington D.C., a company that develops AI and data analytics platforms. He received briefing on the company’s business and discussed security environment in the region.
７ Visit to RAND
On January 16, Defense Minister Koizumi visited RAND Corporation in Virginia, and engaged in discussions on new ways of warfare involving AI and unmanned systems as well as regional security environment.
８ Meeting with Dr. Hamre, President and CEO, CSIS
On January 16, Defense Minister Koizumi met with Dr. Hamre, President and CEO, CSIS. They engaged in discussions on various matters including regional security environment and Japan-U.S. defense cooperation.
９ Visit to Hawkeye360
On January 16, Defense Minister Koizumi visited Hawkeye360 in Virginia, a commercial satellite company which meets Department of War’s security standards, and received briefing on the company’s business and exchanged views on space domain.
[LINK]