TOKYO – US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is set to announce a significant upgrade to the US command structure in Japan on July 28, as part of an ongoing effort to enhance military cooperation with Tokyo in response to an increasingly assertive China.
The United States currently has approximately 54,000 military personnel stationed in Japan, who report to the Indo-Pacific Command based in Hawaii. To improve operational readiness and coordination, a new Joint Force Headquarters will be established in Japan, headed by a three-star commander. This new command structure will work closely with Japan’s planned Joint Operations Command, allowing for more agile and responsive military actions in case of crises, such as those involving Taiwan or the Korean peninsula.
Austin, along with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, is participating in “2+2” talks with their Japanese counterparts. This meeting follows recent efforts by Japan to bolster its defense capabilities amidst growing concerns over China’s military activities and North Korea’s missile developments. Japan has been moving away from its post-World War II pacifist stance, increasing its defense budget, and developing counterstrike capabilities.
In a show of strengthened alliances, President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had earlier declared a “new era” of cooperation between their nations during an April summit. This announcement comes on the heels of a defense pact signed in July between Japan and the Philippines, allowing for mutual troop deployments. Additionally, trilateral relations between Japan, South Korea, and the US have been reinforced, with significant meetings and agreements focusing on enhanced security cooperation.
Ahead of the Japan-US talks, Austin and Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara held trilateral discussions with South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik, marking the first such visit in 15 years. This meeting culminated in a memorandum of cooperation aimed at tightening ties, particularly in information sharing and joint exercises.
The discussions between the US and Japan are also expected to focus on strengthening Washington’s “extended deterrence” commitment, which includes the potential use of nuclear weapons to protect Japan. This reassurance is deemed crucial amidst concerns over China’s military expansion, North Korea’s nuclear advancements, and the broader implications of the Ukraine war.
In addition to bilateral talks, Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa will join their Indian and Australian counterparts in a Quad meeting, an alliance viewed as a counterbalance to China’s regional ambitions.
This series of high-level discussions comes at a time of heightened tensions, with Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchanging sharp criticisms over actions in the South China Sea and issues surrounding Taiwan. The US has expressed concerns over China’s support for Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, further highlighting the complex geopolitical landscape in which these strategic military realignments are taking place.