On July 28, Japan and the US announced plans to enhance military cooperation following security talks attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Japanese Foreign and Defense Ministers. The plan involves upgrading the command and operational capabilities of the US Forces Japan (USFJ) by reconstituting its headquarters to the US Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii from Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, to facilitate joint operations and actions. The Indo-Pacific Command will take over operational responsibilities of the approximately 55,000 USFJ troops stationed in Japan and this reconstruction will enable USFJ to serve as a significant counterpart for Japan’s Joint Operations Command, which is set to be established by 2025 as new headquarters to coordinate Japan’s three Self-Defense Forces; Ground, Maritime and Air. A senior US defense official stated that the specifics of the implementation will be determined later by working groups under the leadership of the US Indo-Pacific Command. The official clarified that there is no intention of integrating Japanese forces into US commands; instead, the aim is to further enhance collaboration and interoperability.
According to US Secretary of Defence Austin, the USFJ under new command will have more sophisticated defense capabilities against regional threats and reinforce the two countries’ capacity to prevent and address coercive actions in the region and beyond. The new military collaboration will improve cooperation and interoperability during joint bilateral operations in both peacetime and crises, with American forces taking a "direct leadership role." Additionally, the four ministers announced an expansion of co-production efforts on defense equipment, focusing on two key missiles: the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3). The PAC-3 is produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan, which handles licensed production through patent fees paid to US companies. Under the new co-production agreement, the US will also expedite the supply of new missiles to Ukraine for use against Russia.
US and Japanese officials revealed that the primary impetus for the new military cooperation is to counter China's increasing assertiveness in the region and the nuclear threat from North Korea. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin criticized China for engaging in "provocative" maritime actions that disrupt regional stability, such as conducting joint military exercises with Russia, expanding its nuclear arsenal, and violating maritime boundaries. China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to annex it by force if necessary. Recently, China has heightened regional tensions with military drills near Taiwan and naval deployments near the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. Additionally, Japan's new military strategy with the US aims to address the threats posed by North Korea's nuclear program, which involves the development and frequent testing of nuclear weapons, thus threatening both global and regional stability.
While Japan and the US view the new military cooperation as beneficial for both nations, there are concerns about potential negative repercussions. Experts caution that the cooperation might disrupt regional peace and heighten the risk of conflict in Asia if excessive deterrence measures are pursued without adequate diplomatic engagement. Another concern is the 19-hour time difference and 6,500 km distance between Tokyo and the US Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii, which can delay processing. Furthermore, some believe Japan’s shifting away from its pacifist constitution and approaching the front lines while taking more decisive sides is another factor to intensify regional tensions.
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