On July 28, US and Japan will hold security talks, the first time they will address “extended deterrence,” which refers to the United States’ resolve to deploy nuclear weapons to deter attacks against allies. While this difficult matter has been debated at lower levels, it is essential for Japan, the only country to have experienced atomic bomb assaults.
In April, Washington and Tokyo declared an upgrade to their alliance, which was founded in 1951, in response to mounting threats from China, Russia, and North Korea. US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Kritenbrink stated, “In the face of unprecedented regional threats, the United States and Japan are committed to ensuring Japan’s defence and contributing to regional security.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will meet with their Japanese counterparts as part of a larger Asian trip. The talks will also focus on increasing defence industry cooperation and enhancing command structures to boost military coordination. US Ambassador Rahm Emanuel said, “These historic 2+2 talks will shift our focus from Alliance protection to projection.”
The discussions coincide with potential changes to the US military command structure in East Asia, as Japan intends to form a combined headquarters for its Self Defence Force.
