Ishiba mulls visit to Iwo Jima, site of fierce WWII battle

Japan, US to mark 80th anniversary of Iwo Jima battle amid trade tensions

Tokyo hopes joint memorial will underline commitment to security alliance, but Hegseth expected to ask Japan to do more to defend itself, analysts say.

Ishiba mulls visit to Iwo Jima, site of fierce WWII battle

He plans to attend a joint Japan-U.S. memorial service on March 29, which would make him the first Japanese prime minister since April 2013 to set foot on the remote island.

Japan PM to attend ceremony at WWII battle site Iwoto on March 29

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is arranging to attend a memorial service later this month at the site of a fierce World War II battle with the United States on Iwoto Island, sources close to the matter say.

Japan Appoints First Chief of New Joint Operations Command

The new command, which has the authority to unify all three JSDF branches, is set to be launched on March 24.