Japan’s Defense Chief Visits U.S. Amid Rising China Tensions and Strategic Supply Risks

As Beijing tightens its grip on strategic materials and ramps up pressure around Taiwan, Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi will visit the United States this week to reinforce a vital partnership that matters deeply to American interests.This high-profile meeting with U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth signals a united front between two democracies committed to preserving regional peace in the Indo-Pacific—a region critical not only for Japanese and American security but also for global supply chains integral to our economy.Why Is This Alliance More Crucial Than Ever?China’s recent announcement barring exports of dual-use products—likely including rare earth elements essential for everything from...