Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called Japan an “indispensable partner” in deterring Chinese military aggression in the region and announced the upgrading of the U.S. military command in Japan to a new “war-fighting headquarters.” Both countries agreed to accelerate plans to jointly develop and produce missiles, upgrade defense posture on southwestern islands, and strengthen joint operational and response capabilities. The assurance comes amid concerns about potential changes in U.S. engagement in the region under President Trump’s policies.
The two sides also discussed the need to strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, including across the Taiwan Strait, where Japan plays a critical role. Hegseth emphasized the importance of having sustaining, robust, ready, and credible deterrence to address possible contingencies in the region. The U.S. is committed to providing Taiwan with military hardware and technology to deter invasion, despite strong opposition from China.
Hegseth and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani agreed on the importance of better preparing for possible conflicts and announced the upgrading of U.S. Forces Japan to enhance joint operations and coordination. The new “war-fighting headquarters” will improve the speed and capability of troops in joint operations in the region.
Before visiting Japan, Hegseth also stopped in the Philippines, where he emphasized Trump’s commitment to strengthening ties with the country amid maritime disputes with China. The U.S. is working to bolster alliances and defense capabilities in the region to address growing Chinese assertiveness and potential regional challenges.
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