US and Japan to Announce Major Alliance Enhancement to Address China’s Influence
This announcement marks the most significant upgrade to the alliance since the 1960 Mutual Defense Treaty.
President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are set to reveal the largest enhancement to the United States-Japan alliance in over six decades, as per senior administration officials.
For the first time, the United States will adjust its force structure in Japan to enhance joint operations in terms of capacity, capability, and integrated performance, officials stated. Additionally, a military-industrial council will be established by the United States to assess potential areas for defense weapons co-production.
Japan’s industrial capacity and strength, which have been underutilized since World War II, will now be fully leveraged in a bilateral alliance aimed at addressing what the United States perceives as a strategic weakness in defense production capacity. The two countries will also collaborate on an integrated anti-missile defense system.
“The shift to a multilateral lattice-like structure is designed to counter China and Japan’s development is seen as a fundamental validation of President Biden’s strategy to elevate partners and allies for an open Indo-Pacific,” stated a senior administration official. Another official added, “This marks the most significant upgrade to the alliance since the 1960 Mutual Defense Treaty.”
On April 7, Japan and the United States participated in a joint naval exercise in the South China Sea with the Philippines and Australia. Senior administration officials consider these multinational strategic efforts, whether military or diplomatic exercises, as pivotal in countering China’s attempts to isolate neighboring countries.
Related Stories
U.S. officials have observed Japan’s transformation over the past three years from a significant regional ally to one of America’s most crucial global partnerships. They commend Japan for undergoing essential changes.
A senior administration official emphasized that “wherever American interests are tested, Japan stands by our side.”
The partnership between the United States and Japan, however, extends beyond military strength, as noted by senior officials. The president and prime minister have met over a dozen times in various capacities. The upcoming summit between the two leaders will feature 70 deliverables, the largest set for such a meeting. Both sides are focused on strengthening connections in technology, exploration, and commercial investment.
Japan remains one of the strongest U.S. partners in space exploration, with agreements already signed for five separate space projects with NASA and JAXA, including the International Space Station. An imminent major agreement will designate Japan as a full partner in the Artemis moon program.
Increased academic collaborations are also on the horizon. For instance, Carnegie Mellon University and Keio University in Tokyo will collaborate on AI research funded by Japanese companies and Microsoft. Additionally, $12 million in scholarships are expected to be announced for the exchange of junior and high school students between the two nations.
As the Biden administration’s first term nears its conclusion, the future is uncertain with the possibility of President Donald Trump’s re-election in November. Nonetheless, administration officials are confident that the new partnership with Japan will not require another four years under President Biden to solidify. Strengthening relationships with countries willing to collaborate creates its own momentum, they noted, and while the investment carries risks, nations like Japan trust the United States as the “right counterbalance” to an unrestrained China.
