The United States on Sunday (28/7) announced plans for a major overhaul of its military command in Japan, to deepen coordination with allied forces, as the two countries called China the “greatest strategic challenge” facing the region.
The announcement followed security talks in Tokyo between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, as well as their Japanese counterparts, Yoko Kamikawa and Minoru Kihara.
“The US will transform its forces headquarters in Japan into a combined forces headquarters with expanded missions and operational responsibilities,” Austin told reporters, after the so-called “2+2” talks.
“This will be the most significant change to U.S. forces in Japan since its inception and one of the strongest enhancements to our military relationship with Japan in 70 years.”
The ministers said in a joint statement that the new command structure would be implemented in conjunction with Tokyo's plan to establish a joint command of its forces by March 2025.
The overhaul is one of several steps taken to address what the two countries say is an “evolving security environment,” noting threats from superpower China.
The statement criticized what it called Beijing's “provocative” behavior in the South and East China Seas, joint military exercises with Russia and the rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal.
“Beijing’s foreign policy seeks to reshape the international order for its own benefit at the expense of others,” the ministers said in their statement.
“Such behavior is of serious concern to these allies and the entire international community, and represents the greatest strategic challenge in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.”
Austin told reporters the command upgrade was “not based on any threat from China,” but reflected the allies’ desire to work more closely and effectively.
Japan provides a base for the US to expand its military presence in Asia, housing 54,000 American troops, hundreds of aircraft, and the only forward-deployed US carrier strike group.
Driven by China’s growing military might and regular missile tests by nuclear-armed North Korea, Japan has shifted dramatically in recent years from its postwar pacifism of decades past. By 2022, it has announced plans to double defense spending to 2% of its gross domestic product.
The new U.S. command in Japan will be led by a three-star general, a U.S. official said, but Austin said the U.S. would not rule out appointing a four-star commander for Japan in the future as has happened in neighboring South Korea. (ps/ab)
