The foreign and defense ministers from Japan and the United States will hold security talks on July 28 that for the first time will cover “extended deterrence,” a term used to describe the U.S. commitment to use its nuclear forces to prevent attacks on allies.
Wong Yu Liang | Moment | Getty Images
The foreign and defense ministers of Japan and the United States will hold security talks on July 28 that for the first time will cover “extended deterrence,” a term used to describe the U.S. commitment to use its nuclear forces to prevent attacks on allies.
While the pair have discussed the issue at lower levels in the past, the talks will highlight an issue sensitive to Japan, which has pushed for nuclear non-proliferation and is the only country to have suffered an atomic bomb attack.
Washington and Tokyo in April announced a historic upgrade to the US-Japan alliance, first signed in 1951, as the allies seek to fend off what they see as growing regional threats from China, Russia and North Korea.
“In the face of growing unprecedented threats in the region, the United States and Japan are going to show in a responsible way how we will stand up and ensure not only Japan’s defense but also our contribution to regional security,” said Assistant Secretary of the USA. State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Krittenbrink said ahead of talks to be held in Japan.
“Our security treaty commitments to our Japanese allies are ironclad, and we are committed to using all means at America’s disposal, including nuclear, to ensure that we honor those commitments.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will also hold a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart during the visit, as part of a pan-Asian trip to reassure allies of US support as November’s US presidential election casts uncertainty over Washington’s foreign policy.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will also hold trilateral talks with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts.
Security talks with Japan will also include efforts to deepen cooperation between defense industries and upgrade command structures to improve coordination between their militaries.
“These historic 2+2 talks will solidify our shift from a focus on protecting the Alliance to a projection of the Alliance,” said US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel.
“Through a transformation of the command structure of the United States forces in Japan, aligned with the groundbreaking of the joint command of Japan next March, the Alliance will be ready and equipped to meet the security challenges of the Indo-Pacific for decades. Come.”
The talks come as the US considers the biggest possible overhaul of East Asia’s military command structure in decades, as Japan plans to establish a new joint headquarters to oversee its Self-Defense Forces by next March.
Japan provides a base for the US to project its military might in Asia, hosting 54,000 US troops, hundreds of its aircraft and Washington’s only aircraft carrier strike group.
