<p>US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and visiting Japanese defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi were recently filmed doing a joint workout before getting into serious business of bilateral talks. The footage, which has since gone viral, shows the duo doing rowing, push-ups, cross-training and weightlifting. They trained together before formal discussions on strengthening the two nations’ alliance. Scroll down to see the video.</p><h2>‘Very tough’: Japanese defence minister on joint workout with Pentagon chief</h2><p>The joint morning workout session was held at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall near Fort Myer in Virginia, with US Army soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as the “Old Guard”.</p><p>Photos and videos of the “male bonding” or rapport-building activity showed both men in black T-shirts, with Hegseth appearing more at ease while Koizumi maintained effort for the tough task at hand, all the time with a consistent smile.</p><p>Koizumi later commented on X that the “American military-style training was very tough.”</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/u-s-pentagon-reviews-women-serving-in-ground-combat-positions-1768412131417/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/u-s-pentagon-reviews-women-serving-in-ground-combat-positions-1768412131417/embed</a></p><h2>Hegseth seems to promote ‘warrior ethos’ but some are disdainful</h2><p>Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran, is known for promoting the so-called “warrior ethos” in the defence forces, amid criticism about the former Fox News host’s lack of policy experience. He has been an advocate for the American military’s readiness in the Indo-Pacific region, an area where Japan and US see China and North Korea as adversaries.</p><p>While supporters praised the “joint exercise” as a team-building gesture amid US–Japan efforts to counter threats, some netizens mocked Hegseth’s form. They also called it a performative exercise to drive attention away from domestic issues faced by Hegseth and his boss, US President Donald Trump.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-maduro-had-his-chances-he-effed-around-and-he-found-out-pete-hegseth-1767470111124">‘Maduro had his chances, he effed around, and he found out’: Pete Hegseth</a></p><h2>US–Japan defence talks focus on China, North Korea threats</h2><p>Koizumi’s visit was part of a week-long trip to strengthen the Japan–US alliance amid threats from China and North Korea. During his US trip, Koizumi delivered a speech at the Honolulu Defense Forum in Hawaii, and met US Indo-Pacific Command leader Admiral Samuel Paparo. He visited a drone-related company in Los Angeles. He also attended a reception marking the 15th anniversary of Operation Tomodachi of 2011, the US–Japan joint disaster relief effort after a earthquake and tsunami struck his nation.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-s-secretary-of-war-pete-hegseth-s-signal-chat-putting-us-troops-at-risk-report-says-1764839856870">Pete Hegseth's Signal chat putting US troops at risk? Report says...</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>After their workout, Koizumi and Hegseth held bilateral talks on Thursday (Jan 15) at the Pentagon, their fourth interaction since Koizumi took office in October 2025.</p><p>The two reaffirmed the alliance as “unshaken,” “solid and unwavering”. The US and Japan pledged to expand joint military drills, and increase cooperation on missile production and defence capabilities. They discussed the strengthening of supply chains, including critical minerals, and US support for Japan’s ongoing defence build-up, including higher budget spending that would reach 2 per cent of Japan’s GDP.</p><p>Koizumi’s trip came ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s planned US visit in March.</p><p><strong>Watch the video of their joint workout here:</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Before getting into serious business, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and Japan defense chief Koizumi kickstarted their day by working out together at the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia <a href="https://t.co/6HMam1i3G5">pic.twitter.com/6HMam1i3G5</a></p>&mdash; Reuters (@Reuters) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/2011901200778907911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It was a ‘joint exercise' for the cameras: Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and Japan’s defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi did the morning workout together before their recent talks in Washington. The man-bonding was seen as a symbol of the alliance between the two countries. It was also mocked.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and visiting Japanese defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi were recently filmed doing a joint workout before getting into serious business of bilateral talks. The footage, which has since gone viral, shows the duo doing rowing, push-ups, cross-training and weightlifting. They trained together before formal discussions on strengthening the two nations’ alliance. Scroll down to see the video. ‘Very tough’: Japanese defence minister on joint workout with Pentagon chief The joint morning workout session was held at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall near Fort Myer in Virginia, with US Army soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as the “Old Guard”. Photos and videos of the “male bonding” or rapport-building activity showed both men in black T-shirts, with Hegseth appearing more at ease while Koizumi maintained effort for the tough task at hand, all the time with a consistent smile. Koizumi later commented on X that the “American military-style training was very tough.” https://www.wionews.com/videos/u-s-pentagon-reviews-women-serving-in-ground-combat-positions-1768412131417/embed Hegseth seems to promote ‘warrior ethos’ but some are disdainful Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran, is known for promoting the so-called “warrior ethos” in the defence forces, amid criticism about the former Fox News host’s lack of policy experience. He has been an advocate for the American military’s readiness in the Indo-Pacific region, an area where Japan and US see China and North Korea as adversaries. While supporters praised the “joint exercise” as a team-building gesture amid US–Japan efforts to counter threats, some netizens mocked Hegseth’s form. They also called it a performative exercise to drive attention away from domestic issues faced by Hegseth and his boss, US President Donald Trump. Also read: ‘Maduro had his chances, he effed around, and he found out’: Pete Hegseth US–Japan defence talks focus on China, North Korea threats Koizumi’s visit was part of a week-long trip to strengthen the Japan–US alliance amid threats from China and North Korea. During his US trip, Koizumi delivered a speech at the Honolulu Defense Forum in Hawaii, and met US Indo-Pacific Command leader Admiral Samuel Paparo. He visited a drone-related company in Los Angeles. He also attended a reception marking the 15th anniversary of Operation Tomodachi of 2011, the US–Japan joint disaster relief effort after a earthquake and tsunami struck his nation. Also read: Pete Hegseth's Signal chat putting US troops at risk? Report says... After their workout, Koizumi and Hegseth held bilateral talks on Thursday (Jan 15) at the Pentagon, their fourth interaction since Koizumi took office in October 2025. The two reaffirmed the alliance as “unshaken,” “solid and unwavering”. The US and Japan pledged to expand joint military drills, and increase cooperation on missile production and defence capabilities. They discussed the strengthening of supply chains, including critical minerals, and US support for Japan’s ongoing defence build-up, including higher budget spending that would reach 2 per cent of Japan’s GDP. Koizumi’s trip came ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s planned US visit in March. Watch the video of their joint workout here:

<p>It was a ‘joint exercise' for the cameras: Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and Japan’s defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi did the morning workout together before their recent talks in Washington. The man-bonding was seen as a symbol of the alliance between the two countries. It was also mocked.</p>

'Joint exercise': Pentagon chief, visiting Japanese defence minister do push-ups, weights ahead of bilateral talks | Watch

us-japan-defence-talks

Us Japan Defence Talks, News on Us Japan Defence Talks, stories on Us Japan Defence Talks, articles on Us Japan Defence Talks, Us Japan Defence Talks stories at Wion, Us Japan Defence Talks news, Us Japan Defence Talks latest news

us japan-defence-talks

'Joint exercise': Pentagon chief, visiting Japanese defence minister do push-ups, weights ahead of bilateral talks | Watch