Pete Hegseth and Japan's Shinjiro Koizumi met in Cebu on Wednesday, Kyodo and The Japan Times report. Hegseth is the US defense secretary. Koizumi is Japan's defense minister. They spoke on the sidelines of ASEAN defense gatherings. Kyodo said they agreed on more defense spending. It also said they want closer alignment to harden the alliance as China's military activity rises.

Per the US Defense Department, as cited by Kyodo, they agreed to pursue an effective denial defense in the First Island Chain. That belt east of China's coast includes Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Koizumi briefed Hegseth on Japan's plan to update its security strategy by year-end, Kyodo said. They also said talks will continue on steps after the arrest of a US Marine in Okinawa on suspicion of robbery and murder.

The Japan Times led with cyber threats. It said the defense chiefs agreed to strengthen cooperation to prevent cyberattacks as Japan faces almost daily incidents. A Defense Ministry readout quoted by the paper cited large personal data leaks. It warned such activity can hit daily life, the economy, and national security. Koizumi arrived in Cebu for ASEAN-related meetings that continue Thursday with dialogue partners, Kyodo said. Those talks include China and other partners.

What we know: Kyodo and The Japan Times report Hegseth and Koizumi agreed in Cebu to deepen alliance work on deterrence and cyber defense.
What we don't: New funding totals or timelines. Concrete cyber projects named in public. Whether China replied to the First Island Chain language.