TOKYO: Japan and the United States have agreed to enhance their military collaboration, upgrading the command and control of U.S. forces stationed in Japan and expanding American-licensed missile production in the country.
This move comes as both nations identify China as the "greatest strategic challenge."
During the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee, or "2+2" security talks, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with their Japanese counterparts, Yoko Kamikawa and Minoru Kihara. They reaffirmed their alliance and discussed plans to bolster military cooperation.
Japan hosts over 50,000 U.S. troops, but the commander of the U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ), based in Yokota, currently lacks commanding authority. The new plans will provide the USFJ with greater capabilities while still reporting to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) in Hawaii. Austin highlighted that this upgrade represents the most significant change to USFJ in 70 years, aiming to enhance collective deterrence.
"We are at a historic turning point," Kamikawa said, emphasizing the need to uphold the rules-based international order. Austin noted China's coercive behavior and the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear program and its cooperation with Russia.
In a joint statement, the ministers criticized China's foreign policy, accusing it of reshaping the international order to its benefit and posing a serious concern to global security. They highlighted China's sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea and its assertion over self-governing Taiwan.
China recently announced a 7.2 percent increase in its defense budget, signaling a massive military expansion. The U.S. and Japan's command reorganization, aligned with Japan's command updates by March, aims to enhance joint bilateral operations and intelligence coordination.
Although a three-star general will lead the new U.S. command in Japan, Austin did not rule out the possibility of upgrading this to a four-star general in the future.
Japan has faced significant cybersecurity threats, prompting concerns and the need for preventative measures. The ministers reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to "extended deterrence," including atomic weapons, in response to nuclear threats from Russia and China.
Japan is accelerating its military buildup and increasing joint operations with the U.S. and South Korea. It has also eased arms export restrictions and accommodated U.S. requests for missile shipments to replenish depleted inventories due to support for Ukraine. The ministers agreed to expand Japanese production of PAC-3 interceptors and co-produce Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles to meet critical demand.
The two countries have been enhancing arms industry cooperation following an April agreement between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Joe Biden. Working groups have been established for missile co-production and the maintenance of U.S. Navy ships and Air Force aircraft in the region.
Earlier, Kihara met with Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik for their first trilateral defense talks hosted by Tokyo. They signed a memorandum to institutionalize regular high-level talks, joint exercises, and other exchanges, ensuring future defense cooperation despite potential leadership changes.
"The signing of this memorandum makes our trilateral cooperation unwavering even under changing global environments," Kihara said. He also met Shin, the first South Korean defense chief to visit Japan in 15 years, and agreed to deepen their bilateral defense ties.
Add comment
Comments