Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
On July 28, 2024, Minister of National Defense Shin Wonsik and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met in Tokyo to hold discussions on major issues facing the ROK-U.S. Alliance, including the security of the Korean Peninsula and the region, strengthening Alliance capabilities for deterrence and defense, and opportunities to deepen the Alliance.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
During the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting on July 28, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japan Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, and Japan Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko resolved to enhance U.S.-Japan Alliance deterrence and response capabilities to uphold the free and open rules-based international order.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
TOKYO, Japan –
Secretary of State Blinken, Secretary of Defense Austin, Minister for Foreign Affairs KAMIKAWA, and Minister of Defense KIHARA (referred to collectively as “the Ministers”) convened the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee (SCC) in Tokyo, Japan, on July 28, 2024.
Recognizing the profound level of global threats to our Alliance’s shared vision and common values, the Ministers affirmed the enduring U.S. and Japanese commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in upholding and protecting the free and open international order based on the rule of law, and to redouble our work with allies and partners in furtherance of this goal. The Ministers reiterated the importance of the U.S.-Japan Alliance as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The Ministers confirmed steady progress in implementing both countries’ national strategic documents and in holding intensive consultations on Alliance roles and missions to further strengthen deterrence and response capabilities. The Ministers reaffirmed their intent to implement new strategic initiatives following Prime Minister KISHIDA’s historic Official Visit with State Dinner on April 10, with the vision to build a global partnership for the future, including upgrading Alliance command and control (C2), deepening defense industry and advanced technology cooperation, and enhancing cross-domain operations.
Given the increasingly severe security environment caused by recent moves of regional actors, the United States restated its unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan under Article V of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security using its full range of capabilities, including nuclear. Japan reaffirmed its steadfast dedication to reinforce its own defense capabilities and to enhance its close coordination with the United States. In line with the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security and the U.S.-Japan Guidelines for Defense Cooperation, Japan reaffirmed its role in maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region by seamlessly responding to any situation from peacetime to contingencies. This has been further enabled by Japan’s 2015 Legislation for Peace and Security, which enhances U.S.-Japan Alliance deterrence and response capabilities. The United States welcomed Japan’s reinforcement of its defense capabilities, including the sustained increase in its defense budget, the creation of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) Joint Operations Command (JJOC), the focus on cybersecurity, and the possession of counterstrike capabilities.
Acknowledging the evolving security environment and the challenges posed to the Alliance today and in the future, the Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The Ministers concurred that the People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s foreign policy seeks to reshape the international order for its own benefit at the expense of others. They highlighted that the PRC employs political, economic, and military coercion of countries, companies, and civil society, as well as facilitates its military modernization through the diversion of technology to achieve these objectives. Such behavior is a serious concern to the Alliance and the entire international community and represents the greatest strategic challenge in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
The Ministers reiterated their strong opposition to the PRC’s intensifying attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea, including through actions that seek to undermine Japan’s longstanding and peaceful administration of the Senkaku Islands, as well as escalatory behavior around the Southwest Islands. The United States reaffirmed that Article V of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security applies to the Senkaku Islands. They shared their continuing concerns regarding the PRC’s ongoing and rapid expansion of its nuclear weapons arsenal, which continues without any transparency regarding its intent and which the PRC refuses to acknowledge, despite publicly available evidence.
The Ministers reiterated their strong objections to the PRC’s unlawful maritime claims, militarization of reclaimed features, and threatening and provocative activities in the South China Sea. The PRC’s destabilizing actions in this region include unsafe encounters at sea and in the air, efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resources exploitation, as well as the dangerous use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels. The Ministers reaffirmed full respect for international law, including freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea as reflected in the relevant provisions of the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS). They emphasized that the July 12, 2016, Award in the South China Sea Arbitration (The Republic of Philippines v. The PRC), constituted under UNCLOS, is final and legally binding on the parties to that proceeding. The Ministers reaffirmed their serious concern over the PRC’s repeated obstruction of Philippine vessels’ exercise of high seas freedom of navigation and the disruption of supply lines to Second Thomas Shoal, which constitute dangerous and destabilizing conduct. The Ministers resolved to work with partners in Southeast Asia, based on their unwavering support for ASEAN centrality and unity, to support regional maritime security and uphold international law.
The Ministers stated that their basic positions on Taiwan remain unchanged and reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the international community. They encouraged cross-Strait issues be resolved peacefully. The Ministers emphasized Taiwan’s political transition period should not be used as a pretext for provocative actions across the Taiwan Strait.
They expressed serious concerns about the dismantling of Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms as well as the PRC’s human rights issues, including in Xinjiang and Tibet.
The Ministers strongly condemned North Korea’s continued conduct of reckless ballistic missile launches, alarming in number, in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) and at the cost of the welfare of people in North Korea. The Ministers also condemned North Korea’s continued nuclear weapons program and nuclear rhetoric and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea, urging North Korea to abide by all its obligations under relevant UNSCRs and engage in substantive dialogue. The Ministers urged all UN Member States to ensure full and effective implementation of all UNSCRs related to North Korea, and reaffirmed close cooperation in exploring ways to ensure implementation. The Ministers confirmed the need for an immediate resolution of the abductions issue.
The Ministers strongly condemned Russia’s brutal, unprovoked, and unjustifiable war against Ukraine. They recognized that Russia’s violation of the UN Charter and its attempts to unilaterally change borders by force through its ongoing aggression against Ukraine present a clear challenge to the international order, with global impacts including on the Indo-Pacific. The Ministers condemned Russia’s reckless nuclear rhetoric and its attacks against critical infrastructure, and they reiterated the need for Russia to be held accountable for its atrocities in Ukraine. They also highlighted with concern Russia’s growing and provocative strategic military cooperation with the PRC, including through joint operations and drills in the vicinity of Japan, and the PRC’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base. The Ministers strongly condemned deepening Russia-North Korea cooperation, exemplified by Russia’s procurement of ballistic missiles and other materiel from North Korea in direct violation of UNSCRs for use against Ukraine, and expressed deep concern about the potential for transfer of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or ballistic missile-related technology and expertise to North Korea, which would deteriorate regional stability and further undermine the global non-proliferation regime. They underscored that Russia’s and North Korea’s actions have a destabilizing impact on global and Indo-Pacific security. The Ministers underscored that the outcome of the recent Russia-North Korea Summit, including the signing of the “Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” should be of grave concern in the interest of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, upholding the global non-proliferation regime, and supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence against Russia’s brutal aggression.
The Ministers shared the recognition that instability in the Middle East reverberates across the international community, impacting Indo-Pacific security and economies. They condemned Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways that threaten the regional and global economy and cause delivery delays and price increases for badly needed food and medicine. The Ministers remained committed to seeing a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza, and a negotiated two-State solution that resolves the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict with an independent Palestinian state with Israel’s security guaranteed, enabling both Israelis and Palestinians to live in a just, lasting, and secure peace.
U.S.-Japan Deterrence and Response Capabilities
Building upon the past year’s achievements and the unprecedented alignment of both countries’ national strategic documents, the Ministers emphasized the United States and Japan will further enhance Alliance deterrence and response capabilities to meet the challenges posed by the evolving security environment, focusing on the following areas:
1. Upgrading Alliance Coordination, Command and Control
The Ministers affirmed the need to strengthen Alliance policy and operational coordination at all levels through exercise and discussion, and to foster a shared understanding of Alliance processes from peacetime through contingencies. To facilitate deeper interoperability and cooperation on joint bilateral operations in peacetime and during contingencies, the United States intends to reconstitute U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) as a joint force headquarters (JFHQ) reporting to the Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). This reconstituted USFJ is intended to serve as an important JJOC counterpart. Through a phased approach, USFJ would enhance its capabilities and operational cooperation with the JJOC, as well as assume primary responsibility for coordinating security activities in and around Japan in accordance with the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. In coordination and consultation with the U.S. Congress, the Department of Defense intends to reconstitute USFJ, in parallel with the development of the JJOC. The United States and Japan will closely consult and establish working groups to further develop bilateral aspects of this proposal, building upon the following shared C2 principles.
2. Improving Alliance stand-off defense capabilities
The Ministers welcomed Japan’s advances in developing stand-off defense capabilities and highlighted progress on U.S.-Japan cooperation towards the effective operation of Japanese counterstrike capabilities in close coordination with the United States. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to accelerate cooperation on Japan’s acquisition of Tomahawk, including on ship refurbishment and personnel training, to support Japan’s operational capability. The Ministers also highlighted cooperation on stand-off missile procurements, including Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range (JASSM-ER). They welcomed further cooperation on Japan’s development of its indigenous stand-off missiles, including the provision of U.S. materiel and technological support.
3. Bolstering Alliance activities in Japan’s Southwest Islands
The Ministers welcomed Japan’s efforts to improve JSDF capabilities in the Southwest Islands by deploying additional units. To demonstrate Japan’s resolve to strengthen its own defense capabilities and their mutual commitment to the security of Japan, the Ministers reaffirmed the Alliance’s goal to increase bilateral presence in Japan’s Southwest Islands. Japan’s own efforts in the Southwest Islands, combined with Alliance exercises, training, posture, and other defense-related activities, enhance Alliance deterrence and response capabilities in this critical region. The Ministers underscored the importance of continued coordination with local communities of the region for these efforts, including support for strong relationships with them through enhanced communication about the importance of Alliance activities.
4. Strengthening bilateral exercises, readiness, and operations
To maintain and enhance Alliance readiness, which underpins the credibility of Alliance deterrence, the Ministers affirmed bilateral efforts to advance planning for contingencies, as well as improve and expand the scope of realistic cross-domain training, tabletop exercises, and exercises, such as Resolute Dragon, Orient Shield, Yama Sakura, Keen Edge, Keen Sword, and Resilient Shield. The Ministers underscored the importance of continued discussion to improve the resiliency and smooth deployment of U.S. and Japanese defense assets, as well as their operational effectiveness during disaster responses and during a contingency, including through flexible access to air and seaports, and other operational foundations. They supported exploring further opportunities for Alliance exercises and joint/shared use of facilities throughout Japan, including in the Southwest Islands. The Ministers also welcomed the establishment and first meeting of Working Group for Future Fighter Training and Readiness (WG-FFTR), which will explore opportunities for future fighter pilot training and readiness, including AI and advanced simulators, and co-development and co-production of cutting-edge technologies such as common jet trainers to maintain combat-ready next-generation fighter airpower.
5. Enhancing extended deterrence
As the Alliance faces a severe strategic and nuclear environment, the Ministers stressed the critical importance of continuing to enhance U.S. extended deterrence, bolstered by Japan’s defense capabilities, as well as strengthening cooperation on extended deterrence and escalation management primarily through the Extended Deterrence Dialogue. Signifying the commitment to deepen substantive strategic-level discussions, the Ministers held the first ministerial-level meeting on extended deterrence.
6. Deepening ISR Cooperation
The Ministers confirmed steady progress in ISR cooperation, which improves bilateral maritime domain awareness, facilitates timely information sharing and intelligence collection, bolsters Alliance deterrence, and provides the foundation for effective Alliance coordination, command, and control. In this context, they welcomed achievements of the Bilateral Information Analysis Cell (BIAC) and concurred to enhance and expand the BIAC through continued discussion on future cooperative efforts. They reiterated the importance of the U.S. MQ-9 deployment to Kadena Air Base to support Alliance ISR cooperation.
7. Expanding cooperation on cross-domain operations, information warfare, and artificial intelligence (AI)
The Ministers committed to strengthening bilateral coordination on cross-domain operations, including cyber, space, and electromagnetic warfare (EW), recognizing the importance of all these domains to future concepts of deterrence and response capabilities. The Ministers welcomed cooperation on space capabilities, including a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) detection and tracking constellation for strategic threats such as long-range missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles, as well as bilateral and multilateral space cooperation including within the Combined Space Operations (CSpO) initiative since December 2023. They also highlighted deepening discussions on EW between the U.S. Department of Defense and Japanese Ministry of Defense, and welcomed the establishment of the EW Working Group between the U.S. Department of Defense and Japanese Ministry of Defense. Recognizing the threats to global stability via malign influence operations and grey zone activities, the Ministers supported the addition of information warfare as a topic for further cooperation to counter these looming threats and welcomed the establishment of the Information Warfare Synchronization Working Group between the U.S. Department of Defense and Japanese Ministry of Defense. On AI, the Ministers underlined the critical bilateral work to promote the responsible use of AI in the military domain, particularly through the AI Partnership for Defense (AIPfD) and the Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of AI and Autonomy.
8. Strengthening cyber and information security
The Ministers emphasized the foundational importance of cyber and information security for the Alliance and its ability to develop future-oriented capabilities, as well as stay ahead of growing cyber threats. They committed to deep cooperation on cyber and information security through incorporating Zero Trust Architecture to build resilience in the information and communication technology domain. The Ministers concurred on the importance of enhancing the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure, and discussed promoting closer cooperation in U.S.-Japan defensive cyberspace operations to respond to threats for further strengthening alliance deterrence. The United States welcomed Japan’s efforts to bolster its national cybersecurity posture, including Japan’s steady implementation of its Risk Management Framework, which will help realize better network defense for information sharing with Japan. The Ministers discussed increasing opportunities for incorporating cyber defense concepts in future exercises. They applauded significant progress made through bilateral cyber and information security consultations.
9. Realizing shared goals with likeminded allies and partners
The United States and Japan are leveraging our global partnership to network with likeminded countries that share the Alliance’s goal to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific and uphold the free and open international order based on the rule of law. The Ministers reaffirmed the U.S.-Japan Alliance is at the core of both countries’ efforts to deepen and expand multilateral cooperation on posture, capabilities, exercises, maritime domain awareness, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR), and other areas to enhance regional deterrence.
The Ministers renewed their commitment to further advance the Alliance’s partnership with Australia, leveraging the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) and in line with recent commitments at the May 2024 Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting (TDMM). The Ministers discussed key areas of cooperation, including on reciprocal deployments of U.S., Japanese, and Australian F-35s; ISR capabilities and exercises; increasing Japan’s participation in U.S.-Australia force posture cooperation activities; pursuing networked air and missile defense architecture and exercises; and technology development through the recently signed trilateral Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation (RDT&E) Memorandum of Arrangement. The Ministers welcomed the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) partners’ consideration of cooperation with Japan on AUKUS Pillar II advanced capability projects and looked forward to further discussions.
The Ministers emphasized the critical importance of deepening cooperation with the Republic of Korea (ROK) to maintaining regional peace and stability, underpinned by the leadership commitments at the 2023 Camp David Summit and respective trilateral foreign and defense ministerial-level meetings this year. In support of these commitments, the Ministers hailed successful execution of the first iteration of the new, multi-domain trilateral exercise, FREEDOM EDGE, and the continued operation of a trilateral real-time Democratic People’s Republic of Korea missile warning data sharing mechanism.
The United States welcomed the signing of the Japan-Philippines RAA, and the Ministers looked forward to greater trilateral and multilateral cooperation on shared areas of interest, including maritime domain awareness and security, training and exercises with our respective forces, cooperation between our respective coast guards, capacity building, and HA/DR. They noted additional multilateral efforts including between the United States, Japan, the Philippines, and Australia to support capacity building for the Philippines. They lauded the April 2024 U.S.-Japan-Australia-Philippines and the June 2024 U.S.-Japan-Canada-Philippines maritime cooperative activities in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone to strengthen the interoperability of our defense/armed forces’ doctrines, tactics, techniques, and procedures, and uphold high seas freedoms in a manner consistent with the international law of the sea as reflected in UNCLOS.
The Ministers underscored their strong support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality. They also emphasized their support for the Pacific region’s unity and its priorities as articulated through the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. They supported further cooperation with partners in Southeast Asia and Pacific Island Countries through joint training, capacity building, and assistance initiatives. Relatedly, the United States welcomed Japan’s decision to establish the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework to strengthen the security capacities and improve the deterrence capabilities of third countries, including the provision of coastal radar systems to the Philippines. The Ministers noted bilateral efforts to align U.S. initiatives with Japan’s OSA. The Ministers reconfirmed the importance of the Quad, and their commitment to furthering the public goods Quad partners deliver to the region through the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) and other initiatives.
Highlighting the interconnected nature of security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions, the Ministers supported Japan’s increased multilateral cooperation with NATO and cooperation throughout Europe. They confirmed efforts to align U.S. and Japanese strategic and diplomatic approaches toward each region through the recently launched U.S.-Japan Strategic Diplomacy and Development Dialogue.
Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation
The Ministers reiterated the President and Prime Minister’s aim to maximally align our economic, technology, and related strategies to advance innovation, strengthen our industrial bases, promote resilient and reliable supply chains, and build the strategic emerging industries of the future. They reaffirmed the importance of defense equipment and technology cooperation in enhancing Alliance capabilities, which underpins the Alliance’s ability to support regional peace and stability. Through this cooperation, the United States and Japan are connecting acquisition, science, and technology ecosystems to maintain the technological edge, and cooperating on economic security measures to counter the weaponization of economic dependencies.
The Ministers welcomed high-priority efforts to pursue mutually beneficial co-production opportunities to expand production capacity of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) and meet critical demand for such advanced systems, address timely procurement and readiness requirements, and deter aggression. This includes the U.S. Interagency Missile Co-Production Working Group, led by the Deputy Secretary of State and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, which will inform the U.S.-Japan Forum on Defense Industrial Cooperation, Acquisition, and Sustainment (DICAS). DICAS will focus on advancing missile co-production efforts as well as building supply chain resilience and facilitating ship and aircraft repair. Further, the Ministers supported senior U.S. and Japanese leadership attendance at the upcoming September 2024 Industry Day organized by Japanese Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency, which will provide opportunities to advance discussions on these key efforts. DICAS, in updating the SCC, and the U.S. Interagency Missile Co-Production Working Group will communicate with industry stakeholders to create the conditions required to co-produce advanced defensive systems. DICAS Missile Co-production Working Group participants will submit action plans for accelerating responsible technology release, promoting a viable business case, establishing programmatic timelines and required procurement quantities, and identifying funding mechanisms to the second DICAS meeting to be organized by the end of 2024.
The Ministers further highlighted major arrangements signed recently, including the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) Project Arrangement, the Overwhelming Response through Collaborative Autonomy (ORCA) Project Arrangement, the High-Powered Microwave (HPM) Project Arrangement, and the Testing and Evaluation Program (TEP) Memorandum of Understanding. They echoed the role of the Defense Science and Technology Cooperation Group (DSTCG) in the bilateral technology cooperation and welcomed its second meeting this summer. The United States also commended Japan’s future establishment of its new institute for defense innovation technology. Furthermore, they emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation on uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), especially joint research on RTA (runtime assurance) technology scheduled to start in the first half of 2025. The United States reiterated support for Japan’s cooperation with like-minded countries on defense equipment and technology, including the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with the United Kingdom and Italy, and the Ministers supported cooperation to ensure interoperability between GCAP and U.S. aircraft and uncrewed systems.
The United States welcomed Japan’s revision of its Three Principles on the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology and its Implementation Guidelines, which supports efforts to leverage our respective industrial bases to meet the demand for critical capabilities. Under this revision, the United States further welcomed progress in transferring Japan’s Patriot interceptor missiles to supplement U.S. stocks.
To support further cooperation in the above areas, the United States welcomed Japan’s efforts to bolster its defense industrial security base with the publication of the first Defense Industrial Security Manual, as well as Japan’s participation in the Multinational Industrial Security Working Group (MISWG) as the first Asian country to become an official member, and Japan’s passage of the Act on the Protection and Utilization of Important Economic Security Information.
Alliance Force Posture
The Ministers emphasized the importance of optimizing Alliance force posture to address increasing security challenges in the region and be better postured to meet these challenges in the future. To this end, they welcomed the U.S. plan to modernize its tactical aircraft laydown across Japan. The modernization plan reflects capability investments to enhance the U.S.-Japan Alliance and bolster regional deterrence. The Ministers celebrated the U.S. redesignation of the 12th Marine Regiment to the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR), and the steady implementation of the MLR reorganization toward initial operational capability by 2025. They welcomed the forward deployment and return of the USS George Washington to Japan, and its critical role in supporting Alliance deterrence.
To maintain deterrence and mitigate impact on local communities, the Ministers reiterated their firm commitment to the steady implementation of the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan in accordance with the Okinawa Consolidation Plan and other existing bilateral arrangements, including construction of relocation facilities and land returns in Okinawa. Following the progress of construction in the Oura-wan area, the Ministers underlined the importance of accelerating bilateral work toward the total return of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma as early as practicable including the construction of the Futenma Replacement Facility at Henoko as the only solution that avoids the continued use of MCAS Futenma. The Ministers confirmed the relocation of Marine Corps personnel from Okinawa to Guam beginning in 2024. The Ministers highlighted progress on development of the SDF facility on Mageshima. They underscored the importance of continued bilateral coordination for sharing timely information on incidents and accidents. In the spirit of alliance cooperation, the Ministers welcomed the efforts to be implemented by USFJ to prevent unacceptable incidents and behavior.
The Ministers affirmed their commitment to the Facilities Improvement Program (FIP) in accordance with Japan’s national laws and regulations. This includes both countries’ commitment to implement FIP lines of effort during the duration of the 2022 Special Measures Agreement and to take all appropriate initiatives with the aim of further ensuring timely and effective implementation of the 164.1 billion yen budget, which was reaffirmed in the Joint Statement of the SCC in 2022.
Coordination on Environmental Issues and Humanitarian Assistance
In line with President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida’s Joint Leaders Statement in April to respond more rapidly to climate change-related and other natural disasters by establishing a HA/DR hub in Japan, the Ministers decided to convene a task force for the operational requirements to move in an expedited manner. The Ministers discussed enhancing bilateral environmental cooperation, including on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) issues, in compliance with the Status of Forces Agreement and related arrangements.
Women, Peace, and Security (WPS)
The Ministers underscored that cooperation on WPS will uphold our global partnership goals of advancing the empowerment of women and girls, achieving gender equality, and including diverse perspectives in national security activities. The Ministers affirmed that realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific requires the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in leadership positions as well as their contributions toward conflict prevention, reconstruction, and peacebuilding. The Ministers welcomed efforts, including ongoing U.S. Forces commitment to recurring WPS symposiums, Japanese participation at the USINDOPACOM Regional Military Gender Advisor Course, bilateral cooperation under ASEAN working groups, Japan’s continued engagement and leadership with the WPS Focal Points Network, integration of WPS into disaster risk reduction policies and efforts, and bilateral support for the regional WPS Center of Excellence. The Ministers confirmed they will further explore cooperation by continuing to promote participation in U.S. and Japanese-led WPS activities, as well as through incorporating WPS considerations in regular bilateral training, exercises, and other activities.
Investment in People for the Alliance
The strong bonds of friendship between our peoples anchor and sustain our growing global partnership. Further strengthening these bonds, including through cultural and educational exchanges, are the most effective way to develop future stewards of the U.S.-Japan relationship. The Ministers emphasized the importance of building new and expanding existing exchange opportunities, such as Think of Okinawa’s Future in the U.S. (TOFU) and Student Educational Exchange and Dialogue (SEED), to create a diverse pipeline of future U.S.-Japan experts who support the Alliance. Our peoples form the core of our Alliance, and we reaffirm our commitment to forge ever-closer bonds for generations to come.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
TOKYO, Japan –
Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamikawa, Minister of Defense Kihara, Secretary of State Blinken and Secretary of Defense Austin (referred to collectively as “the Ministers”) convened a U.S.-Japan ministerial meeting on extended deterrence in Tokyo, on July 28, 2024.
Since 2010, U.S. and Japanese officials have coordinated on extended deterrence policy primarily through the U.S.-Japan Extended Deterrence Dialogue (EDD). The Ministers highlighted the steady progress in strengthening this coordination and deepening discussions on extended deterrence, including through periodic review of the EDD’s activities and by leveraging the Alliance Coordination Mechanism.
The Ministers shared assessments of an increasingly deteriorating regional security environment, including North Korea’s continued destabilizing behavior and sustained pursuit of its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs, China’s accelerating and opaque expansion of its nuclear arsenal, and Russia’s undermining of arms control and the global nonproliferation regime, including through its expanding military cooperation and unlawful arms transfers with North Korea. Under these circumstances, the United States and Japan reiterated the need to reinforce the Alliance’s deterrence posture, and manage existing and emerging strategic threats through deterrence, arms control, risk reduction, and nonproliferation.
The Ministers reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to close consultations on U.S. nuclear policy and posture, as well as the relationship between nuclear and non-nuclear military matters within the Alliance. They reaffirmed their intent to continue discussions on both countries’ deterrence capabilities and measures. The Ministers also reaffirmed their intent to ensure full bilateral coordination through the Alliance Coordination Mechanism throughout every phase of a developing situation.
The Ministers underscored the significance of the ministerial meeting in strengthening deterrence, and confirmed that both countries, through the EDD, will continue to explore how best to reinforce extended deterrence in order to promote regional stability and deter the outbreak of conflict.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
TOKYO, Japan –
Through a phased approach, the U.S. plans to convert U.S. Forces Japan into a joint force headquarters which will report to the commander of the Indo-Pacific Command, the secretary of defense said today following the conclusion of a two-plus-two ministerial meeting in Tokyo.
Included in the meeting were Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.
“We welcome an historic decision to modernize our alliance command and control to better meet the challenges of today and tomorrow,” said Austin during a press briefing today that followed the high-level meetings. “The United States will upgrade the U.S. Forces Japan to a joint force headquarters with expanded missions and operational responsibilities.”
The new joint force headquarters will be under the command of a three-star officer and will serve as a counterpart to Japan’s own Japan Self-Defense Forces Joint Operations Command, Austin said.
“This will be the most significant change to U.S. Forces Japan since its creation, and one of the strongest improvements in our military ties with Japan in 70 years,” he said. “Japan’s new Joint Operations Command will further allow our forces to work together more closely than ever. And these new operational capabilities and responsibilities will advance our collective deterrence.”
Austin said the change is based on a desire to work more closely with Japan and enhance the effectiveness of the existing relationship.
Also part of the discussions, Austin said, were ways to increase bilateral presence in Japan’s southwest islands; a reaffirmation of the importance of cooperation on cybersecurity, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; cross-domain operations and bilateral exercises and training; and ideas for new areas for defense industrial cooperation.
According to a joint statement by the Security Consultative Committee, meeting participants discussed co-production opportunities to expand production capacity of both advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles.
“Finally, we held a separate two-plus-two ministerial level meeting on extended deterrence, and that has never been done before,” Austin said. “During that meeting, I reaffirmed our ironclad commitment to defend Japan with the full range of our capabilities, including our nuclear capabilities.”
As part of the extended deterrence meeting, participants discussed, among other topics, North Korea’s destabilizing activities in the region, including its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs; China’s expansion of its nuclear arsenal; and Russia’s unlawful arms transfers with North Korea.
Austin said he considered each meeting in Tokyo to be a success.
”We are reinforcing our combined ability to deter and respond to coercive behavior in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” he said. “We’re reinforcing the rules-based international order that keeps us all safe. And the agreements that we’ve advanced today will ensure that the U.S.-Japan alliance remains a cornerstone of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
PŌHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, Hawaii –
Army General Counsel Carrie F. Ricci was able to experience the U.S. Army’s commitment to the ʻāina, or land, at Pōhakuloa Training Area (PTA) with a tour from U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii senior leaders, March 25, 2024.
Pōhakuloa Training Area, commonly called PTA, is the U.S. Army’s training complex on Hawaii Island. PTA’s 210 square miles comprise federally owned land and land owned by the state of Hawaii and leased to the Army. State-leased land accounts for roughly 17% of PTA.
In addition to being the premier training area in the Pacific, the PTA is also home to threatened and endangered species and Hawaiian cultural sites that the Army is committed to protecting.
“PTA is the ideal location for the Army and the joint force to train combat-credible forces prepared to fight and win,” said Ricci. “But this land can only be used if we care for it.”
During the tour, Ricci spoke with biologists, conservationists, and archeologists employed by the Army about the various conservation efforts. The Army sustains a seed lab and greenhouse on PTA to grow native plants and coordinates with Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) for opportunities to outplant within the community on the island, extending beyond PTA.
“I am so proud of the work being done by the Army and our partners to protect unique and endangered species that flourish at the PTA,” stated Ricci. “There are native species of plants found nowhere else in the world but the PTA, and they continue to flourish because of the Army’s conservation efforts.”
According to the PTA’s cultural resources team, cultural sites on PTA are preserved in place. There are currently 13 known burial sites on PTA that have been preserved in place. The Army continues to work closely with cultural descendants to follow the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) processes.
“One of the most moving experiences I had was visiting a protected cultural site with archeologists working at PTA,” said Ricci. “It is critical that we protect this land for those who will depend upon it thousands of years in the future.”
The Army in Hawaii invests $12 million annually in its natural and cultural resource stewardship programs. While some of the Army’s conservation efforts are mandated by the land lease agreement with the state, the Army has its own environmental requirements that must be followed along with compliance with all federal conservation laws.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
OKINAWA, Japan –
III Marine Expeditionary Force began Exercise Resolute Dragon 24 with an opening ceremony held at Camp Kengun July 28, 2024. RD 24 will take place across Japan from July 28 – August 7, 2024, to include Chugoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa prefectures.
Resolute Dragon 24 is the fourth iteration of the bilateral exercise hosted by III MEF and the Japan Self-Defense Force and will feature both U.S. and Japan units rehearsing operations to strengthen their command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities.
“Resolute Dragon showcases the longstanding partnership between the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self Defense Force,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Roger B. Turner, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general. “Together, we seamlessly integrate joint multi-domain operations and are ready to respond to crisis at any moment.”
Approximately 3,000 U.S. Marines and Sailors from III MEF will train alongside their counterparts from the Western Army, various units from the Japan Self-Defense Force, and the U.S. Joint Force, to rehearse and strengthen their multi-domain maneuver capabilities and combined arms integration.
Resolute Dragon 24 will include training events such as the deployment of a TPS-80 radar to Yonaguni, bilateral low altitude training with U.S. and Japanese V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, and force-on-force and live-fire training in multiple locations.
“The Marine Corps’ unique amphibious capabilities, paired with the joint and allied force, enable us to persist inside an adversary’s weapon engagement zone and integrate joint sensors and fires,” said Turner. “Alongside our partners and allies, III MEF is ready to fight and win.”
Resolute Dragon 24 strengthens the bilateral operational capabilities and interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and JSDF with an emphasis on air-ground integration and combined arms live-fire training. III MEF’s coordination and collaboration with the JSDF is a leading effort in both countries’ shared vision of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
More than seven decades has passed since the end of the Korean War that resulted in the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953, yet the surviving veterans of the War continue to embody the evidence of the deep alliance between the Republic of Korea (ROK) and United States. This significant chapter of ROK history came alive when members of the Jinhae Korean Veterans Association descended upon the Commander, Fleet Activities Chinhae (CFAC) naval base on July 23, 2024, to commemorate this year’s 71st anniversary of the ROK-U.S. alliance.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY, KAUAI, Hawaii –
3d Multi-Domain Task Force (3d MDTF), partnered with 1st MDTF, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (25th CAB), and the 5th Surface to Ship Field Artillery Regiment of the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces (JGSDF) Western Army participated in a sinking exercise (SINKEX) from July 11-12, 2024, as part of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 exercise.
3d MDTF and the JGSDF provided tactical command and control of land-based fires during the SINKEX from a bilateral fire support coordination center (BFSCC) while 1st MDTF provided High Mobility Army Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers. The JGSDF participated with Type 12 Surface to Ship missiles (SSM).
The combined joint live fire also integrated AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from 25th CAB. In addition to U.S. Army and JGSDF ground based fires assets, joint and partner Air Force and Navy platforms, to include ships and aircraft, also delivered synchronized effects during the SINKEX. The SINKEX showcased the continuing development of combined and joint interoperability.
“Our network of partners and allies is an asymmetric advantage over rivals. Working side by side with our JGSDF counterparts during RIMPAC strengthens our interoperability, allows us to share best practices, and improves how we operate,” said COL Michael Rose, 3d MDTF Commander. “We both possess complementary
capabilities and this exercise allowed us to integrate our assets together in support of the combined joint force during the SINKEX. Interoperability with our Japanese allies is a force multiplier.”
3d MDTF and the JGSDF conducted combined planning and rehearsals from the BFSCC the week prior to the SINKEX which provided the opportunity to deepen the relationship between the two units and to conduct detailed integrated planning. During execution, personnel within the BFSCC worked side by side to conduct targeting and fires delivery.
In addition to increasing combined and joint interoperability, RIMPAC also provided a venue to advance the interchangeability between MDTF’s. While
3d MDTF led the planning and executed the tactical command and control for the SINKEX, 1st MDTF provided the HIMARS launchers and crews.
The scalable and tailorable design of MDTFs lends itself to the exchange of capabilities between units based on mission requirements.
Rose highlighted this ability stating, “1st and 3d MDTFs work closely together in training and throughout the Indo-Pacific during Operation Pathways events. RIMPAC gave us the opportunity to integrate assets to support the Combined, Joint Force in a realistic training environment.”
Exercises such as RIMPAC provide MDTFs the ability to contribute to the combined joint force in the INDOPACIFIC.
The theme of RIMPAC 2024 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.” To promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, RIMPAC is the world’s largest joint and combined maritime exercise, utilizing and preserving a world class training environment. With inclusivity at its core, RIMPAC fosters joint and multi-national cooperation and trust, leverages interoperability, and achieves respective national objectives to strengthen integrated and prepared coalition partners. “RIMPAC is a premier venue to showcase the Army’s landpower contribution to the Joint Force,” said Rose.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea –
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is embarking on his 11th trip to the Indo-Pacific today amid what officials said is a landmark period for U.S. ties throughout the region.
The 10-day series of engagements will include stops in Japan and the Philippines as the Defense Department continues to strengthen partnerships to support a shared vision for peace, stability and deterrence throughout the region. It will also include high-level talks with Australian officials in Annapolis, Maryland, where the secretary will meet with his counterpart.
While in Japan, Austin and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will meet with Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa as part of this year’s U.S.- Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting in Tokyo.
Austin and Kihara will also meet separately with South Korean defense minister for the first trilateral Ministerial Meeting, a key component of the U.S., South Korea and Japan security cooperation dialogue.
From Tokyo, Austin and Blinken will travel to Manila, the Philippines, where they will meet with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo as part of the fourth U.S.-Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.
After returning to the U.S., Austin and Blinken will host Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong for this year’s Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations.
The series of engagements mark a continuation of President Joe Biden’s strategy of sustained engagement in the United States’ priority theater of operations.
“I know that it’s easy to focus on the crisis of the day, but just look at what our strategy has achieved in the Indo-Pacific over the past 3 1/2 years,” Austin said yesterday during a joint press conference with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., at the Pentagon.
The secretary noted that the U.S. has nearly doubled its military construction investments in the Indo-Pacific over the last fiscal year and has continued to make significant improvements to its force posture in the region.
The U.S. has also led the way in uniting a broad network of partners focused on solving key regional challenges.
“Our ties with Australia are stronger than ever,” Austin said. “We’ve improved our relationships with Vietnam, Singapore, Papua New Guinea and many more.”
In previewing Austin’s visit to the region, defense officials said the series of high-level talks will mark a crucial waypoint for U.S. engagement in the region.
“We’re about to kick off the 10 most consequential days for U.S. defense ties in the Indo-Pacific since the start of the administration as the secretary participates in a rapid succession of premier defense and diplomacy dialogues with three regional allies,” a senior defense official said this week.
Austin’s engagements with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts in Tokyo will build upon last summer’s Camp David summit with President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, which paved the way for what White House officials called “a new era of trilateral partnership” among the three countries.
The exchange between the three defense ministers will mark the first iteration of the Trilateral Minister’s meeting to be held in Japan and the first time in 15 years since a South Korean Defense Minister has visited Tokyo.
“I think this reflects the really important leadership and political courage in Tokyo and South Korea to reconcile some of the historical challenges that they’ve faced in that relationship,” the official said. “There has been a real commitment, including from President Biden, to bring these partners together.”
He added that senior leaders in the department have worked throughout their entire careers on forging ties between Japan and South Korea.
“I think that what we have seen since the Camp David talks, when President Biden brought the leaders together, is just a new era in trilateral cooperation where these partners are willing to do things that are unprecedented and to deepen cooperation in a way that really is new,” the official said.
At Camp David, the three heads of state agreed to a series of initiatives to strengthen security cooperation through enhanced interoperability, information sharing and coordination. The summit also paved the way for improved cooperation on ballistic missile defense and a multiyear framework for annual, trilateral exercises.
Since the summit, the three countries have made concrete progress in the exchange of real-time, missile-warning data to detect and assess ballistic missiles launched by North Korea.
This summer, the U.S., Japan and South Korea also completed the first iteration of Freedom Edge, a trilateral, multidomain exercise focused on cooperative ballistic missile defense, air defense, antisubmarine warfare, search and rescue, and maritime interdiction.
While in Tokyo, the three defense ministers are expected to build on the momentum gained since the summit and further institutionalize the trilateral cooperation, a senior defense official said.
Austin and Blinken will also highlight new bilateral pathways with Japan U.S.- Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting where the leaders will highlight the two countries’ growing cooperation on defense equipment and technology.
“This industrial cooperation will bolster alliance deterrence by identifying procurement and readiness requirements and expanding production capacity, notably for advanced missiles like Patriot PAC-3 interceptors,” the official said.
In Manila, Austin and Blinken will also build upon recent strides in the long-standing U.S.-Filipino defense relationship.
The two countries have recently designated four new U.S. rotational access sites in the Philippines as part of the 2023 expansion of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which was first signed in 2014.
The nine sites are designed to strengthen combined training, exercises and interoperability between the two countries.
During their visit, Austin and Blinken will announce that the U.S. is providing $500 million in foreign military financing through the recent national security supplemental passed by Congress in the spring.
“This unprecedented provision of security assistance, which is an order of magnitude greater that what we’ve recently provided to the Philippines on an annual basis will be a critical enabler of the Philippine defense moderation already underway,” the official said.