United States Defense Secretary Ash Carter is in Japan as part of a series of planned trips to Asia. In his first official visit to the region, he held talks with his Japanese counterpart on Wednesday. His visit to Japan coincides with the first update to the US-Japan cooperation guidelines since 1997. His Tokyo visit is meant to smooth the way for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Washington in late April.
Carter said the Obama administration is opening a new phase of its strategic shift toward the Asia-Pacific region, and the administration is investing in high-end weapons to refresh its defense alliance with Japan and expanding trade partnerships.
Carter plans to cap his week in Asia with meetings with South Korean government officials in Seoul and visiting U.S. troops. He will visit India and then attend an international security conference in Singapore in May.