The tiny island of Iwo Jima in the Pacific Ocean lies around 1,250 kilometres (780 miles) from Tokyo and was the scene of five weeks of brutal combat between Japanese and US forces in World War II.
“I’d also like to reiterate our determination to keep the preciousness of peace in our hearts and to raise the US-Japan alliance, which brings peace and prosperity to the world, to new heights.”
“The US-Japan alliance shows those brave men of 1945 how yesterday’s enemy has become today’s friend,“ Hegseth said.
An image of US marines raising the Stars and Stripes on the island became one of the most famous photos of World War II, and the battle has inspired numerous books and movies.
The ceremony was about “confirming post-war reconciliation between Japan and the United States and praying for further friendship through joint memorial and tribute activities for the war dead”, the Japanese government said.
Nakatani said that the discussions would touch on “sharing recognition on regional issues” as well as “measures to further strengthen responsiveness and deterrence”.
Japan has been shedding its strict pacifist stance, moving to obtain “counterstrike” capabilities and doubling military spending to the NATO standard of two percent of GDP.
“We have a great relationship with Japan. But we have an interesting deal with Japan that we have to protect them, but they don't have to protect us,“ Trump said this month.
Hegseth could prod Japan to raise its defence budget and potentially buy more American military hardware, said Yee Kuang Heng from the University of Tokyo.
In Manila on Friday, Hegseth said that Washington and the Philippines, another close US ally, must stand “shoulder to shoulder”.
His comments follows months of confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the disputed South China Sea.
Beijing claims almost the entirety of the crucial waterway, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no merit.
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