President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are set to announce increased levels of defense and intelligence cooperation between the two countries this week. Details of the enhanced military partnership will be worked out by the defense secretaries of the United States and Japan in the next few months. The U.S. expects Japan to play a significant role in producing more military and defense equipment. This comes as China’s hostility in the region has increased, with recent maritime run-ins in the South China Sea with the Philippines.
During a three-way summit with the President of the Philippines, the U.S. and Japan aim to underscore global coordination in response to China’s aggression. The Philippines has not been deterred by China’s actions, with U.S. officials stating that China is the isolated country in this situation. Japan has taken substantial steps to protect sensitive intelligence information, but there is still more work to do before potentially joining the Five Eyes intelligence network. Joining this network is seen by Japanese security experts as a way to add more protection against China’s provocations.
In addition to intelligence cooperation, Japan will start consultations to potentially join a security pact between Australia, the U.K., and the U.S. This is part of a 70-point plan that the two countries are expected to announce this week. Other initiatives include a lunar agreement, increased university research, and a scholarship for U.S. high school students to study in Japanese schools. The U.S. officials emphasized that the U.S.-Japan alliance is a testament to Biden’s theory of increased engagement with Indo-Pacific nations fostering more cooperation worldwide.
The officials also highlighted Japan’s evolving role in global affairs, noting that in the past, Japan focused only on its perimeter. However, in recent years, Japan has supported Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, and engaged more in the Middle East. American officials stated that Japan is now by the U.S.’s side wherever American purpose is being tested. Furthermore, Japan has offered to replace hundreds of cherry blossom trees in the Tidal Basin area of Washington, D.C., and the prime minister is expected to start some of these plantings at a ceremony on the National Mall.
Overall, the increased defense and intelligence cooperation between the U.S. and Japan is part of a broader effort to address China’s aggressive actions in the region. By bolstering their alliance and expanding cooperation in various areas, the U.S. and Japan aim to not only strengthen their own security but also promote stability and coordination in the Indo-Pacific region. The upcoming announcements and initiatives reflect a deepening partnership between the two countries and their shared commitment to upholding international norms and countering common threats.
