US, Japan announce new military command structure

The U.S. and Japan announced a major new military command structure Sunday that aims to counter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Forces Japan will work more closely with Japanese troops under a Joint Force Headquarters reporting to the commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, in close collaboration with Japan's Joint Operations Command.

This modernizing will shift more U.S. operations toward Japan and more closely integrate the forces of both nations. The transition will be the most significant for U.S. Forces Japan since the military branch was created in 1957.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken forged the agreement after a key meeting with their Japanese counterparts in Tokyo.

At a Sunday press conference in Tokyo, Austin said the new military command structure was a "historic decision" and "one of the strongest improvements" in military ties with Japan in 70 years.

"Japan's new Joint Operations Command will further allow our forces to work together more closely than ever," he said. "And these new operational capabilities and responsibilities will advance our collective deterrence."

Japan has emerged as one of the most important allies for the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific as Washington looks to curtail China in the region. Tokyo is moving to dramatically increase its defense spending and last year reached a historic pact with South Korea and the U.S. to form a trilateral alliance.

The U.S. and Japan reaffirmed and strengthened their ties this week as they referred to China as the "greatest strategic challenge" in the region.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yōko Kamikawa said there was a major challenge posed by China in the Indo-Pacific as Beijing threatens the self-governing island nation of Taiwan and the Philippines.

"The outward stance of China, as well as its military actions, are of serious concern," she said at the press conference, hailing the U.S. and Japan alliance as "indispensable."

Austin and Blinken traveled to Japan over the weekend as part of a trip to meet with allies across the Indo-Pacific, with the two now headed to the Philippines.

The agreement reached this week in Japan also includes greater cooperation between the Tokyo and Washington defense industries and advanced technology development along with increased exercises among regional allies.

Blinken said Sunday that Russia and North Korea's growing ties were also a serious national security threat in the Indo-Pacific.

"Many of us are doing what's necessary to strengthen our deterrence," he said, "as well as to take necessary actions to try to prevent these countries from engaging in these activities."