U.S. Launches Military Command in Tokyo to Counter China

Navid

Navid

July 28, 2024

WSJ reporting – The United States is set to establish a new military command in Japan, led by a three-star general, to enhance security ties and coordinate military operations with Japan amid concerns about China’s military expansion.

This command will streamline the operational command structure, eliminating the need for U.S. forces in Japan to wait for instructions from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii. The new command will also facilitate joint exercises and potentially play a role in defending Japan if necessary. This initiative aligns with Japan’s efforts to bolster its military capabilities, including plans for a new joint military command.

The announcement, to be made by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and their Japanese counterparts, highlights a broader U.S. strategy to strengthen military relations with Asian allies. This strategy includes financial support for the Philippines and ongoing efforts to assist Australia in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines.

The U.S. has also lifted restrictions on South Korea’s ballistic missile capabilities and is supplying Japan with Tomahawk cruise missiles. These moves are part of a response to the perceived threat from China and increased military cooperation between China and Russia, which recently conducted a joint bomber patrol near Alaska.

The creation of the new U.S. Joint Force Command in Japan involves upgrading the existing U.S. Forces Japan headquarters near Tokyo. Details about the command’s geographic scope, capabilities, and staffing are still being finalized. Unlike the U.S. command structure in South Korea, which can control both American and South Korean forces in wartime, the U.S. and Japanese commands will separately control their national forces.

Discussions will also explore Japan’s potential role in bolstering the Western defense industrial base, particularly in light of increased demands from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The meetings aim to accelerate military cooperation, with additional discussions planned with officials from South Korea, the Philippines, and Australia.

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