Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called Japan an “indispensable partner” in deterring Chinese aggression in the region. He announced the upgrading of the U.S. military command in Japan to a new war-fighting headquarters to enhance joint operational capabilities. The two countries agreed to accelerate plans for joint missile development and production as well as enhance maintenance processes for U.S. warships and planes in Japan.
The move comes amid concerns in Japan about potential changes in U.S. engagement in the region under President Trump’s policies. The upgrade of the command and control structure is aimed at bolstering joint response capabilities, especially amid growing Chinese military assertiveness and a possible Taiwan emergency.
Japan recently launched the Japan Joint Operations Command to coordinate its three self-defense forces and strengthen its capabilities to respond to contingencies. Hegseth emphasized the need for sustaining strong deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region, including near Taiwan, as Japan is on the frontlines of any potential conflict.
The U.S. is committed to providing military hardware and technology to Taiwan to deter Chinese invasion, a move that has always faced strong opposition from Beijing. Hegseth also paid tribute to the war dead in the Battle of Iwo Jima and highlighted the strong alliance between the U.S. and Japan.
Overall, the U.S. and Japan are working to strengthen their defense posture in the region and enhance their joint operational capabilities to address growing challenges posed by China’s assertive actions.
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