Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Japan and called the country an “indispensable partner” in deterring Chinese military aggression in the region. He announced plans to upgrade the U.S. military command in Japan to a new “war-fighting headquarters” in response to growing Chinese assertiveness and a possible Taiwan emergency. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Hegseth also discussed accelerating the strengthening of military capabilities and joint development of missiles to address a shortage of munitions. Japan and the U.S. recently upgraded their military command and control structure to enhance joint operational and response capabilities.
Hegseth emphasized the need for a strong deterrent in the Indo-Pacific region, including near Taiwan and the Southwestern islands of Japan. Both countries agreed to strengthen defense posture on these critical islands to deter Chinese aggression. The U.S. also reaffirmed its commitment to providing military hardware and technology to Taiwan to deter invasion, despite opposition from Beijing.
Hegseth and Nakatani attended a joint memorial to honor the war dead in the Battle of Iwo Jima, highlighting the strong alliance between the U.S. and Japan. Hegseth’s visit to Japan is part of his Asia trip, where he also visited the Philippines to strengthen ties with the Southeast Asian country facing maritime disputes with China. The reorganization of U.S. forces in Japan aims to better prepare for potential conflicts and bolster joint operational capabilities to ensure peace and security in the region.
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