Japan, US strengthening operations to counter China 'influence'
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Citing diplomatic sources, Japanese media and the Financial Times state that a review of the joint security pact will be announced at a US-Japan summit due next month in Washington.
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken, second from left, meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, third from right, at the State Department in Washington, Friday, January 12, 2024. (AP)
Japan's government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi stated Monday that Japan and the US are seeking ways to boost military cooperation, following reports that strengthening US operations in the Asian country is meant to counter China.
Citing diplomatic sources, Japanese media and the Financial Times stated that a review of the joint security pact will be announced at a US-Japan summit due next month in Washington.
"Japan and the United States have been discussing ways to strengthen cooperation in command and control in order to enhance interoperability and readiness," Hayashi told reporters, adding, "My understanding is that nothing has been decided regarding the American side's structure, including strengthening the functions of US Forces Japan."
54,000 US military personnel are based in Japan, which is already increasing defense to the NATO standard of 2% of GDP by 2027 and claims China poses the "greatest strategic challenge" to its security.
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Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, referencing American and Japanese sources, claimed that a permanent joint team could be established for closer military coordination, adding that Japan has to work with the Hawaii-based US Indo-Pacific Command for various decisions.
The Financial Times revealed that "the Pentagon is some way from making any decision," but both Japan and the US seek "to respond to what they view as a growing threat from China."
Current plans were also portrayed as "the biggest upgrade to (the US-Japan) security alliance since they signed a mutual defense treaty in 1960."
This comes as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is due to meet with US President Joe Biden in Washington on April 10, and is set to participate in the country's first three-way summit with the US and the Philippines the next day.
Earlier this month, Japan expressed interest in engaging in discussions with the United States, Australia, and Britain regarding collaboration on advanced military technology. This statement from officials on Wednesday suggests that Tokyo is considering a deeper involvement in the significant security partnership known as AUKUS.
A representative from Japan's embassy in Australia said as quoted by AFP that the government is backing AUKUS' initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region and is exploring avenues to enhance collaboration. The official mentioned that Japan is aware of ongoing talks between Australia, the UK, and the United States, covering various topics such as Artificial Intelligence and underwater capabilities.
"Japan is interested in the possibility of technical cooperation in the field of advanced capabilities, and so will continue to strengthen cooperation with Australia, the US, and the UK," the embassy said in a statement.
