US and Japan Forge Plan to Enhance 60 Years Old Security Pact to Counter China and North Korea Threats

Defense News , U.S ,Japan :-  In efforts to tackle security threats from China and North Korea, the US military is planning to enhance its command headquarters in Japan, aiming for smoother cooperation with Japan's self-defense forces. This initiative, reported by Kyodo news agency citing diplomatic sources, underscores the growing concerns over regional security.

Japan and the United States are also set to take further steps to improve their response capabilities. Tokyo, in a significant move in 2022, decided to acquire the ability to strike enemy bases, even under Japan's war-renouncing Constitution.

Additionally, Japan is gearing up to establish a joint headquarters by March 2025 to command its ground, maritime, and air forces. This move, under Prime Minister Kishida's administration, seeks to deepen cooperation between the US military and Japan's joint headquarters.

The heightened cooperation between Japan and the US comes amidst escalating tensions fueled by North Korea's missile tests and China's military activities in the South China Sea and the Taiwan conflict. China's increasing military presence around Taiwan, including frequent incursions into its air defense identification zone, has raised alarms in the region.

Ahead of talks between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US President Joe Biden in Washington next month, the two countries are expected to review their command and control operations. This visit marks the first such trip by a Japanese leader since 2015.

The upcoming discussions between the US and Japan are crucial, especially in light of the defense treaty signed in 1960. The treaty allows the US to establish bases in Japan, ensuring mutual defense in the face of an attack.

Over the years, the US and Japan have collaborated closely on various military endeavors, including ballistic missile technology. In 2020, the US approved the sale of 105 F-35 fighters to Japan, further solidifying their defense partnership.

However, logistical challenges persist, with the US Indo-Pacific Command headquartered in Hawaii, leading to time zone differences and physical distances hampering efficient interaction between Japanese forces and the US military.

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell expressed Washington's support for Japan's efforts to bolster its defense capabilities during his recent visit to Tokyo. An announcement related to this cooperation is anticipated following the Biden-Kishida summit, indicating the growing commitment to strengthen defense ties between the two nations.