U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has met with officials in Japan to reaffirm the importance of their alliance and Washington's commitment to regional security as threats rise from China and North Korea.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is in Japan to meet with Japanese officials and reaffirm the importance of their alliance and the U.S. commitment to regional security as threats rise from China and North Korea.

The Pentagon chief also stressed trilateral cooperation with Tokyo and Seoul is crucial for regional stability even as South Korea is in political turmoil.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is accusing the Navy of withholding information from Congress about funding strategies and cost increases for nuclear-powered submarines, according to draft report language accompanying the final defense policy bill.