Japan, US strengthen alliance amid rising security concerns

Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the Japan-US security alliance, as tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly with China’s expanding military assertiveness and North Korea’s ongoing missile and nuclear developments.

The two leaders are expected to discuss strategies for bolstering their military cooperation, including upgrades to the alliance's command and control systems, which would allow for improved coordination between Japan’s Self-Defence Forces and the US military. They also plan to expand collaboration in space and other emerging domains, Caliber.Az reports per Japanese media.

During the meeting, which was open to the media, Nakatani emphasized the importance of the bilateral partnership, stating, "I hope we work together, as the most trustworthy partners for each other, to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific." Hegseth echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for "credible deterrence" in the region, particularly across the Taiwan Strait, and described Japan as “our indispensable partner” in countering Chinese military coercion.

The meeting comes amid increasing pressure from the US on its allies, particularly with the return of President Donald Trump to the White House. Trump, who has reinstated his "America First" policy, has criticized security arrangements with longstanding allies, portraying the US-Japan security treaty as nonreciprocal. There are also reports suggesting the US may reconsider plans to expand its military presence in Japan as part of efforts to reduce defence spending.

A key topic of discussion is the transformation of US Forces Japan into a joint force headquarters, which would have more operational responsibilities and serve as a counterpart to Japan's newly established Self-Defence Forces Joint Operations Command. This upgrade was initially agreed during the tenure of President Joe Biden and is seen as a significant strengthening of military ties between the two nations, potentially marking the most substantial change to US Forces Japan in 70 years.

The new Japanese command structure is designed to enhance the integration of Japan’s ground, maritime, and air forces, facilitating smoother coordination with the US military, particularly in light of rising tensions over Taiwan.

In terms of defence spending, Japan’s government made a historic decision in 2022 to increase its defense budget to 2 per cent of its GDP by fiscal 2027, marking a significant shift in its postwar security posture. While Trump has repeatedly urged US allies to increase defense spending, there was no such criticism from him when Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited Washington in February.

Nakatani and Hegseth had previously discussed strengthening the alliance during their phone talks in January, during which they reaffirmed that the US-Japan security treaty extends to the Senkaku Islands, a group of islands in the East China Sea claimed by both Japan and China.

Following their discussions, Nakatani and Hegseth visited the Pacific island of Iwoto (Iwo Jima) to attend a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, a key World War II conflict between Japanese and US forces.

Hegseth's visit to the Indo-Pacific, his first as US Defence Secretary, also included stops in Hawaii, Guam, and the Philippines. However, his trip has been marred by a domestic scandal related to the accidental sharing of sensitive military plans in a group chat that involved a journalist, drawing criticism from several quarters within the Trump administration.

By Vafa Guliyeva