The foreign and defense ministers of Japan and the United States will hold security talks on July 28, which will discuss for the first time “extended deterrence,” a term used to describe the United States’ commitment to use nuclear power to deter attacks on allies.
Huang Yuliang | Moment | Getty Images
The foreign and defense ministers of Japan and the United States will hold security talks on July 28, which will discuss for the first time “extended deterrence,” a term used to describe the United States’ commitment to use nuclear power to deter attacks on allies.
While the two have previously discussed the issue at a lower level, the talks will elevate a subject that is sensitive in Japan.
Washington and Tokyo announced in April a historic upgrade to the U.S.-Japan alliance first signed in 1951, as the two countries hope to curb regional threats from China, Russia and North Korea.
“In the face of growing and unprecedented threats to the region, the United States and Japan will responsibly demonstrate how we will step up to ensure not only the defense of Japan, but also our contribution to regional security,” said the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State. Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink said ahead of the talks in Japan.
“Our security treaty commitments to our Japanese allies are ironclad, and we are committed to using all means at the United States’ disposal, including nuclear means, to ensure that we meet those commitments.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will also hold a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart during the visit, part of a pan-Asia tour aimed at reassuring Washington at a time when November’s U.S. presidential election has cast uncertainty on Washington’s foreign policy. Allies support the United States.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will also hold trilateral talks with the defense ministers of Japan and South Korea.
Security talks with Japan will also include efforts to deepen cooperation between defense industries and upgrade command structures to improve coordination between the two countries’ militaries.
“These historic 2+2 talks will solidify our shift from a focus on alliance protection to a focus on alliance forecasts,” said U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel.
“Through the transformation of the command structure of U.S. forces in Japan, and in conjunction with Japan’s groundbreaking launch of the Joint Command in March next year, the alliance will be ready and ready to respond to the security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region for decades to come.”
The talks come as the United States considers the biggest potential overhaul of its East Asian military command structure in decades, with Japan planning to establish a new joint headquarters to oversee its Self-Defense Forces by March next year.
Japan provides a base for U.S. military power projection in Asia, with 54,000 U.S. troops, hundreds of aircraft and Washington’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier strike group.
