Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, left, and U.S. Defense Secretary...

Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, left, and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth review an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo on Sunday. Credit: AP/Kiyoshi Ota

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called Japan on Sunday an "indispensable partner" in deterring growing Chinese assertiveness in the region and announced upgrading the U.S. military command in Japan to a new "war-fighting headquarters."

Hegseth, who is on his first Asia trip with Japan as his second stop, also stressed the need for both countries to do more to accelerate the strengthening of their military capability as the region faces China’s assertive military actions and a possible Taiwan emergency.

“Japan is our indispensable partner in deterring Communist Chinese military aggression,” Hegseth said at the beginning of his talks with Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in Tokyo. "The US is moving fast, as you know, to reestablish deterrence in this region and around the world."

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Newsday's Gregg Sarra previews the state wrestling championships, and Jonathan Ruban has a look at the Baldwin boys and girls basketball teams, plus the plays of the week. Credit: Newsday

Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 24: State wrestling championships preview Newsday's Gregg Sarra previews the state wrestling championships, and Jonathan Ruban has a look at the Baldwin boys and girls basketball teams, plus the plays of the week.

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