“We also salute the bold steps taken by Japan and the Republic of Korea to work more closely together. Strong ties between Tokyo and Seoul are good for both countries - and for the region.”

American retired army general and defense official

Lloyd James Austin III is a retired United States Army general and American defense official. He served as the 28th United States secretary of defense from 2021 to 2025 in the Biden administration. Austin spent much of his career in the U.S. Army before taking on one of the country’s highest civilian defense posts. He is known for leading the Pentagon during a period of major national security challenges and for public remarks shaped by military service, defense policy, and the responsibilities of command.