Japan Minister Of Defense, Shinjirō Koizumi (小泉進次郎): “Participated in early morning military training with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth before our meeting.
“We worked up a sweat together at the training center within the Army base (Fort Myer), and it became a precious time that further strengthened the bond of those of us who uphold the Japan-U.S. alliance from a defense perspective.
“However, the military training was tough…. But it was all worth it when, at the meeting, Secretary Hegses presented me with a framed photo from that time and expressed his delight, saying, “There’s never been an example of training with a foreign minister before. It’s historic.”
