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Japan and the United States have reached an agreement to jointly produce advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles as part of "Operation Supercharge," according to Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. The joint effort aims to enhance the defense capabilities of the F-35 fighter jets, which are used by both the U.S. and Japanese militaries.

The announcement was made during a news conference in Cebu, the central Philippine province, where Koizumi met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of an annual meeting of Southeast Asian defense chiefs and their counterparts.

Koizumi expressed concern over China's increasing naval activity in the region, specifically mentioning the crossing of three Chinese destroyers and a coast guard ship through the Osumi Strait towards the Pacific Ocean. He emphasized the need to address the challenging security environment in the region and strengthen defense cooperation.

The annual meetings aim to prevent a major regional conflict and fortify defense ties between the allies, though tensions often arise during these gatherings as the U.S. and China, as well as their allies, trade criticisms.

Hegseth reiterated the Trump administration's commitment to the region, stating that the U.S. is "strong, quiet and clear" in its approach to deter aggression. This message aligns with the administration's assurance to protect its allies and partners in the face of China's growing assertiveness, particularly in the disputed South China Sea, where Beijing claims virtually the entire waterway vital for global trade.