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Koizumi eyes meeting with Hegseth in Philippines next week
Japan's defense minister is also weighing whether to attend an expanded regional defense ministers' gathering in the Philippines, where South Korea is seeking its own talks with Washington.
On air: Gloria Vance and Vera Bullock on BBN After HoursPublished
At a glance
- First reported by Japan Today: “Koizumi eyes meeting with Hegseth in Philippines next week”, with reporting from Ajupress and Japan Ministry of Defense.
- Covered on BBN on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 4:10 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Gloria Vance and Vera Bullock.
- Topics: Hegseth.
- BBN covered this story before: Viral Delta pilot, Eisenhower globe, California ballots (October 22).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- Japan TodayKoizumi eyes meeting with Hegseth in Philippines next week
- AjupressSeoul says defense chiefs' meeting in Philippines not yet confirmed October 14, 2026 · facts used on air
- Japan Ministry of DefenseJapan-Australia-Philippines-United States Defense Ministers’ Meeting November 1, 2025 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn Tokyo today, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said he is arranging a possible meeting with his American counterpart, Pete Hegseth, next week in the Philippines.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIt would be on the sidelines of a regional defense gathering that runs from around October twenty-seventh to thirtieth, and the two men also met last year in Kuala Lumpur.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe sidelines. So the real meeting is the one nobody's invited to.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThat is how diplomacy works, Vera.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSouth Korea's defense ministry said of its own hoped-for Hegseth meeting, quote, we are going, but we don't yet know whether the U. S. side will attend.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThey're going anyway? That's a plus-one with no host.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorQuite. I have attended a few of those, and the canapés were always better than the communique.
The story so far
- Philippine onion cartel fined $28 million over 2022 price shock · BBC
- Massie: Trump should fire Hegseth before he is impeached · The Hill
- Hegseth visits Israel as Russian diplomat travels to Tehran · CBS News
- Hegseth makes surprise trip to Middle East · The Washington Times
- Viral Delta pilot, Eisenhower globe, California ballots · ABC News
- Koizumi eyes meeting with Hegseth in Philippines next week (this story)
- Hegseth staff damaged Eisenhower globe moving it to his office · NBC News
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Friday, October 23, 2026 · the World archive · all months
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