US and Japanese Defense Chiefs Strengthen Ties with Joint Morning Workout
In a display of military camaraderie, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth welcomed Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi to Washington on January 15th, 2026. The two leaders engaged in a bilateral meeting, but first, they shared an early morning training session at Fort Meyer Army Base near Washington, D.C.
Early Morning Fitness Session with Troops
The workout began at 7:30 am. Hegseth and Koizumi joined soldiers from the US Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment for physical training at the base gym. Official photos and videos released by both the US Department of Defence and Japan's Ministry of Defence captured the moment.
Both men wore simple black t-shirts. They performed various exercises together, including push-ups and rowing. The images showed them actively participating alongside American troops.
Contrasting Styles During Training
Despite being born just a year apart, the two officials demonstrated noticeable differences in their approach to the workout. Hegseth, a former US Army major, appeared relaxed and moved with quick, efficient motions. His experience in military training seemed evident.
Koizumi maintained a consistent smile throughout the session, though his efforts sometimes came with a grimace. He pushed through the exercises with determination, keeping pace with the group.
Official Statements Highlight Historic Moment
After the training, Hegseth expressed his enthusiasm. "There's no better way to start the morning than with physical training alongside our troops and Japan's defence minister," he remarked. "Thank you for joining us today."
Koizumi acknowledged the challenging nature of the workout but focused on its significance. "Though the training was gruelling, the fact that 'no foreign defence minister had ever trained with me before and that this is a historic moment'—as Secretary Hegseth joyfully noted—was more than enough compensation," he said.
The Japanese minister added, "It was a valuable time to further solidify the bond between our nations responsible for the Japan-U.S. alliance."
Social Media Buzz and Public Reaction
The Department of War posted a video of the joint training session on X. The caption simply read, ".@SECWAR was joined by Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi for morning PT."
The clip quickly went viral on the social media platform. Netizens responded with mostly positive and surprised comments in the thread.
"Looks like male bonding to me," wrote one observer. Another commenter noted, "The SecWar rowing technique is way better than that of his Japanese counterpart."
Others praised the leaders' commitment to fitness. "Outstanding! Physical health is important and these leaders are setting the example!" one user exclaimed.
Context of Japan's Soft Power Diplomacy
This viral training session follows another recent display of Japanese diplomatic outreach. Just two days earlier, on January 13th, 2026, a video showed Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung engaged in a friendly drum battle during their meeting.
These incidents highlight Japan's growing use of soft power diplomacy. The country appears to be forging relationships not just through formal agreements, but also through shared cultural and physical activities that create personal connections between leaders.
The morning workout at Fort Meyer represents more than just exercise. It symbolizes the strengthening military partnership between the United States and Japan, demonstrated through the personal commitment of their defense chiefs.
