The United States and Japan have announced a significant upgrade to the U.S. military command structure in Japan, marking a milestone in their defense cooperation. The revamped command, to be led by a three-star general, will transform U.S. Forces Japan into a Joint Force Headquarters. This move aims to modernize the command of their respective armed forces, enhance operational control, and deepen military cooperation amid rising threats from China. The shift will move operational control of Japan-based forces east from Hawaii and will involve closer coordination with Japanese forces, including joint exercises and contingency planning. Additionally, defense chiefs from Japan, the U.S., and South Korea have agreed to a landmark security cooperation framework to institutionalize trilateral defense ties, making them more difficult to reverse. Talks also covered extended deterrence, including the U.S. commitment to using its military capabilities, such as nuclear weapons, to protect Japan. Secretary of State Blinken played a key role in this initiative.
