US and Japan Security Meeting to Strengthen Military Cooperation Amidst 'Growing Threat' from China

Japanese and US defense ministers and senior diplomats will meet on Sunday, August 7, in Tokyo to further strengthen their military cooperation, including enhancing command and control of US forces and boosting the production of US-licensed missiles in Japan, in light of the increasing threat from China. According to the Associated Press, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, along with their Japanese counterparts, Yuko Kamikawa and Minoru Kihara, will participate in the Japan-US Security Advisory Committee, known as the 2+2 Security Talks, to reaffirm their alliance following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the November election race. For the first time, the ministers will hold separate discussions to reaffirm the US commitment to 'extended deterrence,' which includes nuclear weapons, while Japan has previously avoided public discussions on the sensitive topic of increasing nuclear threats from Russia and China. The ministers are expected to discuss plans to enhance the command and control structure of US forces in Japan by bringing in senior officers with command authority to create an American counterpart for the 'Japan Joint Command,' which is set to begin operations in March. Although Japan hosts over 50,000 US troops, the commander of US forces stationed at 'Yokota' in the western suburbs of Tokyo currently lacks command authority and is managed through the Pacific Command in Hawaii. Before the 2+2 talks, Kihara met with Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik for the first trilateral defense talks hosted by Tokyo, signing a memorandum of understanding based on their June agreement in Singapore, institutionalizing regular high-level dialogues, joint exercises, and other exchanges. Defense officials stated that this memorandum serves as a foundation for future defense cooperation among the three countries despite potential leadership changes, while also demonstrating their unity. Japan has accelerated its military strengthening efforts, increasing joint operations with the US and South Korea, while also seeking to bolster its predominantly domestic defense industry. Japan has significantly reduced its arms export restrictions and responded to a US request in December 2023 to send US-licensed 'PAC-3' missile interceptors made in Japan to replenish US stocks that have been depleted due to its support for Ukraine. The ministers are also expected to discuss increasing the production of Japanese 'PAC-3' interceptors for export to the US. Japan and the US have accelerated their arms industry cooperation following a May 2024 agreement between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Biden. The two sides have established working groups for joint missile production and for the maintenance and repair of US Navy ships and Air Force aircraft in the region. While Japan's role is primarily designed to assist in supplying US weapons and maintaining its credible deterrence in the Pacific amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, Japanese officials say this will also help strengthen Japan's defense industry. The threat posed by the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is at the center of NATO leaders' talks in the US, with President Biden focusing on addressing China's excess capacity and utilizing frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. The G7 is likely to warn Chinese banks about trading with Russia.