During the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the White House on April 10, 2024, it is expected that the two countries will formalize a new security agreement.[1] Since the signing of a mutual defense agreement between the United States of America (USA) and Japan in 1960, the prospect of planning the most substantial update to their security alliances prompts inquiries into the rationale underlying the necessity for such a strategic adjustment six decades later.
Japan has long called on the United States to grant greater operational authority to the “United States Forces Japan (USFJ) Commander” to assume a greater regional defense role, citing the need for closer coordination in the field. According to this new strengthened agreement considered by the Biden administration, a new US military joint task force will be created, which will be affiliated with the US Pacific Fleet, one of Indopacom’s component commands in Hawaii. Under this scenario, the fleet’s four-star commander will spend more time in Japan and have a strengthened support structure in the country.[2]
The appointed four-star commander will correspond to the person who will be appointed head of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) Headquarters. This arrangement would pave the way for the restructuring of the US military command in Japan to strengthen operational planning and exercises between the two countries. Through this new arrangement, the command structure of the United States in Japan will both strengthen and assume a more credible role in responding to regional threats. This will serve as a strong strategic signal to China and North Korea, deterring any war that might break out around the island.
The news of the new security agreement comes on the heels of warnings from Admiral John Aquilino, the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, regarding security risks in the region.[3] Recent military exercises and missile tests by North Korea, including the firing of hundreds of artillery shells near an island in South Korea, prompting the evacuation of local residents, have raised concerns for Japan and the United States regarding the security of the region. Both the US and Japan aspire to strengthen their security ties to enhance their ability to cooperate more effectively in the event of a regional crisis.
The US views China as its “only rival” with economic, diplomatic, military and technological power capable of challenging the international order. Japan has played a central role in the US’s strategy to contain China for the past decade.[4] The Tokyo Government has turned against Beijing not only due to territorial disputes in the East China Sea, but also in terms of other regional security equations.
The ministers also strongly condemned North Korea for its unprecedented number of illicit ballistic missile launches, including numerous intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) class missiles and ballistic missiles surpassing Japan, throughout the past year.[5] They expressed grave concerns about North Korea’s policy of rapidly increasing its nuclear arsenal at maximum speed, both in quality and quantity.
In response to these developments, Japan appears to have significantly increased its security capabilities over the past few years and is spending much more on defense, including plans to purchase US Tomahawk cruise missiles. At the same time, it is known that the Japanese Army will establish a “Joint Operations Command” next year in order to improve coordination between its Self-Defense Forces.[6] Increasing military spending in Japan heralds new levels of strategic alignment and opens the door to new opportunities for U.S.-Japan cooperation.
The United States continues to support its alliance in East Asia, especially with Japan, its most important partner in the region. In terms of its total military, naval and air power, as well as its geographical location, Japan plays a critical role in the US’s regional deterrence strategy.[7] In this regard, Japan is home to 54,000 American troops, hundreds of aircraft and the only forward-deployed aircraft carrier strike group of Washington. Bases on the Japanese islands allow the US to shift more military forces to the region and, accordingly, to further contain China.[8]
The updated US-Japan security alliance can be seen as a significant development that could negatively impact regional security dynamics. This is also an important element of military strategies in the Indo-Pacific region. Developing strong military alliance ties between the United States and Japan allows for increased interoperability and coordination between the armed forces of the United States and Japan. In particular, efforts aimed at ensuring the security of the Senkaku Islands have brought the United States and Japan together on a common ground regarding the necessity of a strengthened military cooperation agreement. Although this alliance is pursued in the interest of regional security, it also carries the potential to escalate tensions.
[1] “Japan And U.S. Will Deepen Military Ties As Tensions With China Rise”, Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharyfolk/2024/03/24/japan-and-us-will-deepen-military-ties-as-tensions-with-china-rise/?sh=30d1d3624b24, (Date of Access: 26.03.2024).
[2] “US And Japan Plan Biggest Upgrade To Security Pact İn Over 60 Years”, Financial Times, https://www.ft.com/content/df99994d-ec4b-4c3c-9c42-738ec9b338d0, (Date of Access: 27.03.2024).
[3] “China Will Be Ready To Invade Taiwan By 2027, U.S. Admiral Says”, Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2024/03/20/china-will-be-ready-to-invade-taiwan-by-2027-us-admiral-says/?sh=18cc37e012c4 , (Date of Access: 26.03.2024).
[4] “US/Japan To Strengthen Military Pact Against China”, World Socialist Website, https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2024/03/26/dwce-m26.html, (Date of Access: 28.03.2024).
[5] Ibid.
[6] “US And Japan Plan Biggest Upgrade To Security Pact İn Over 60 Years”, a.g.e., (Date of Access: 27.03.2024).
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
