Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces significant foreign policy challenges just days after taking office

TOKYO: Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday (Oct 29) the Japan-US alliance was "critical to deterring Chinese military aggression", as his Japanese counterpart confirmed plans to accelerate a defence spending target.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Japan's new administration to take a constructive "first step" in engaging with Beijing and to properly address sensitive issues such as Taiwan and wartime history.

Japan has designated 14 airports and 26 seaports for use by its military and coast guard during a contingency.

China has called on its neighbours Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN countries to make greater efforts in science and technology, including carrying out joint scientific and technological research, according to the official Xinhua.

The Chinese government sent the new Japanese prime minister a congratulatory message when she assumed office -- without announcing the act. The move suggests cautiousness from Beijing over how Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae will manage relations with Japan's neighbor.

On Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivered her first policy address, which contained remarks on China that aligned closely with information disclosed by Japanese media the previous day.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in her first major policy speech on Friday, pledged to further accelerate Japan’s military buildup and spending and complete an early upgrade of the country’s security strategy as tensions rise with China,