To begin the program with Japan's Defense Minister Tomomi Inada, who is currently in the United States for a meeting with Pentagon chief Ash Carter. This is Inada’s first trip to the US as defense chief, a post she took up early August.

They are expected to confirm the strong alliance between the two countries, and to agree to steadily implement joint exercises between Japan's Self-Defense Forces and US troops. Also on Inada's agenda is the planned replacement of the Futenma air base within Okinawa.