Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced plans to expand security and defense cooperation between the two nations, focusing on humanitarian assistance, health crises, and disaster relief. Meeting in Tokyo April 8 in advance of Abe’s scheduled upcoming visit to Washington, Carter and Abe also reaffirmed joint commitment to realignment of security forces in Japan – specifically, as they relate to the controversial Futenma Replacement Facility air station on Okinawa. Stars and Stripes also reported April 8 that Carter and Japanese Defense minister Gen Nakatani discussed cooperation relating to cyberspace and regional security in East Asia and the South China Sea.