Japan Minister of Defense visits Hawaii, speaks at Honolulu Defense Forum

13 January 2026

From U.S. Indo-Pacific Command

HONOLULU — Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, the commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, welcomed Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjirō Koizumi to USINDOPACOM headquarters at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Jan. 12, 2026.

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Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjirō Koizumi greets U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. George Rowell, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command director of strategic planning and policy, J5, at USINDOPACOM headquarters, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Jan. 12, 2026. Koizumi delivered a keynote address at the Honolulu Defense Forum and visited historic sites while in Hawaii. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, right, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, welcomes Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjirō Koizumi to USINDOPACOM headquarters at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Jan. 12, 2026.

CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii — Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, right, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, welcomes Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjirō Koizumi to USINDOPACOM headquarters at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Jan. 12, 2026. Koizumi delivered a keynote address at the Honolulu Defense Forum and visited historic sites while in Hawaii. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, right, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, participates in a panel discussion at the Honolulu Defense Forum in Honolulu, Jan. 13, 2026. The HDF is an annual conference hosted by Pacific Forum International, a non-profit, non-partisan foreign policy institute based in Honolulu. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, meets with Shinjirō Koizumi, Japanese Minister of Defense, at USINDOPACOM headquarters, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Jan. 12, 2026. Koizumi delivered a keynote address at the Honolulu Defense Forum and visited historic sites while in Hawaii. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjirō Koizumi lays a wreath at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Jan. 12, 2026. Koizumi delivered a keynote address at the Honolulu Defense Forum and visited historic sites while in Hawaii. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Japanese Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Hiroaki Uchikura accompanied Koizumi during his visit.

The leaders discussed strengthening integrated, cross-domain operations that enhance joint forces, Japan’s continued defense modernization, improved interoperability and regional security.

Koizumi delivered a keynote address at the Honolulu Defense Forum. He emphasized Japan’s resolve to further play a leading role in promoting regional peace and stability while enhancing cooperation with the U.S. and other partners.

Koizumi and Uchikura also visited historic sites alongside Paparo and other senior military leaders, placing wreaths at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and the USS Arizona Memorial.

USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict.