Hegseth announces enhancement of US military command in Japan to counter China

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized Japan’s crucial role in addressing Chinese aggression during a meeting on Sunday, announcing that plans to enhance the U.S. military command in Japan would soon commence.

“We share a warrior ethos that defines our forces,” Hegseth stated to Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in Tokyo. He highlighted Japan as an essential ally in countering military threats from communist China, particularly in the Taiwan Strait.

Referring to Japan as a “cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific,” Hegseth affirmed that the Trump administration would maintain close collaboration with this vital Asian partner. In July, the Biden administration revealed a significant overhaul of the U.S. military command in Japan to strengthen coordination with Japanese forces, as both nations identified China as their “greatest strategic challenge.” This restructuring will introduce a combined operational commander in Japan, who will work alongside the head of a joint operation command recently established by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.

TROOPS IN JAPAN

Hegseth’s commendation of Japan stands in contrast to his earlier criticisms of European allies, where he cautioned against assuming the permanence of U.S. military presence in Europe. Trump has voiced concerns that the bilateral defense treaty, which commits the U.S. to defend Tokyo, lacks reciprocity, and during his first term, he suggested that Japan should contribute more to the costs of hosting U.S. troops.

Currently, Japan accommodates 50,000 U.S. military personnel, along with fighter jet squadrons and the only forward-deployed aircraft carrier strike group of the U.S., situated within a 3,000-km (1,900-mile) East Asian archipelago that encircles Chinese military capabilities. This development coincides with Japan’s decision to increase military spending, including investments in longer-range missiles. However, the operational capacity of its forces remains limited by its U.S.-drafted constitution, which was enacted after World War II and renounces the right to wage war.

Hegseth and Nakatani have reached an agreement to expedite a plan for the joint production of AMRAAM missiles designed for beyond-visual-range air-to-air combat, and they are also considering collaboration on the manufacturing of SM-6 surface-to-air defense missiles to alleviate a munitions shortage, according to Nakatani.

Hegseth expressed his desire for increased access to Japan’s strategic southwestern islands, which are located near the disputed East China Sea and close to Taiwan. The Chinese foreign ministry has not yet responded to a request for comment.

SIGNAL CHAT

During his inaugural official visit to Asia, Hegseth traveled to Japan after visiting the Philippines. On Saturday, he participated in a memorial service at Iwo Jima, the site of intense combat between U.S. and Japanese forces 80 years ago.

His visit has been marred by reports that he shared details of upcoming U.S. military actions in Yemen via a Signal messaging app group that included notable figures such as Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and others.

On Sunday, Hegseth did not answer a question shouted at him regarding whether he had shared classified information in the group. Gabbard informed Congress on Tuesday that the determination of what constitutes classified defense information rests with the defense secretary.