Defense Secretary Ash Carter called Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani to thank him for his long-term support and to discuss the upcoming major events in the U.S.-Japan alliance, according to a Defense Department statement issued today.

Carter reaffirmed commitment to the U.S.-Japan alliance and to the Asia-Pacific rebalance, the statement said, and both leaders highlighted the upcoming revision of the guidelines that define the U.S.-Japan defense relationship as a major milestone in modernizing the alliance.

Carter and Nakatani noted that they look forward to meeting during Carter’s upcoming visit to Japan, the statement said.