and top defense officials and diplomats are announced plans to following a meeting in Tokyo on Sunday, in the region.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin were taking part in the two “2+2” security talks with their Japanese counterparts Yoko Kamikawa and Minoru Kihara.
“Great to be in Japan for the 2024 U.S.-Japan 2+2 meeting. Our alliance with Japan is the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific — and it is stronger than ever,” Austin posted on X on his arrival in Japan.
What do we know about the plans to upgrade defense in Japan?
The two sides are confirmed plans to set up new US control and command centers and boost American-licensed missile production in Japan.
With Japan set to unroll a new joint command for its own armed forces in March, Austin is expected to announce a similar US structure for Japan, which would be headed by a three-star commander, a US military official told the AFP news agency.
The US already has well above 50,000 troops stationed in Japan. However, those troops currently receive their orders from the Indo-Pacific Command in the US state of Hawaii. While the US does have a commander stationed in Tokyo, that post is focused on managing the US bases.
Now, the US is planning to deploy higher-ranking officers to streamline and improve cooperation with its closest ally in Asia.
Japan moving away from its pacifist stance
Concerned about the rising , Japan has in recent years moved away from its pacifist position and has to obtain “counterstrike” capabilities.
In their meeting, for the first time, US ministers also reaffirmed the US commitment to “extended deterrence,” which includes and the so-called “nuclear umbrella” provided by the US.
This marks a shift for Japan which shied away from the subject of nuclear power as the only country to have suffered nuclear attacks.
Besides the US, Japan has also increased its cooperation with other countries in the Indo-Pacific region, including South Korea and the Philippines.
The US has also held and also signed a memorandum to increase cooperation with South Korea.
mfi/dj (AFP, AP)
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