TOKYO: The United States on Sunday announced to revamp its military command in Japan to strengthen coordination with its ally’s forces, as the two countries describe China as the “greatest strategic challenge” in the region.
The announcement comes after talks between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and their Japanese counterparts, Yoko Kamikawa and Minoru Kihara in Tokyo.
“The United States will upgrade the U.S. Forces Japan to a joint force headquarters with expanded missions and operational responsibilities,” Austin told reporters.
The ministers in a joint statement said that the new command structure would be implemented with Tokyo’s own plans to upgrade a joint command for its forces by March 2025.
The overhaul is among several steps taken to address an evolving security environment, noting various threats from China.
The ministers in their statement added China’s foreign policy seeks to reshape the global order for its own benefit at the expense of others.
Austin told journalists the command upgrade was not based on any threat from China but demonstrated the desire of allies to work more effectively and closely.
Japan is a major base for the U.S. in Asia, hosting 54,000 American troops and hundreds of U.S. aircraft.
The new U.S. command in Japan will be led by a three-star general, said a U.S. official, however, Austin did not rule out the possibility of appointing a four-star commander in Japan.
READ ALSO: Putin Warns to Restart Production of Nuclear Weapons if US Deploys Missiles in Europe
“Amidst increasingly severe nuclear threats in the vicinity of Japan, it is important to further strengthen extended deterrence. I welcome the continuously deepening discussion on this matter,” Japan’s Kamikawa told reporters before the talks.
Meanwhile, North Korea has vowed to totally destroy its enemies in case of war. The Biden administration has been pushing for stronger cooperation between Tokyo and Seoul.
Washington also wants to depend on Japanese industry to help ease pressure on U.S. arms makers stretched by the demand generated by conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
