The Japanese Defense Minister met with the head of the US Department of the Navy.
The politicians discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, as well as the recent joint passage of Russian and Chinese warships through the Tsugaru and Osumi straits.
According to the Kyodo agency, del Toro “noted the importance of the naval forces of the two countries” and expressed his intention to “continue efforts to strengthen cooperation.” In addition, as noted, during the meeting, the topic of recent missile launches by the DPRK was touched upon.
Last Saturday, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced that 10 warships from Russia and China passed through the Osumi Strait, and “at 10.00 (04.00 Moscow time), 130 kilometers south of the Danjo Islands, Nagasaki Prefecture, a helicopter took off and landed from the deck of a Chinese destroyer.” In connection with the takeoff and landing of the carrier-based helicopter, fighters of the country’s air self-defense forces were raised.