TOKYO: Japan and the United States (US) will hold crucial security talks on July 28 (Sunday), aimed at advancing what US President Joe Biden has described as a historic enhancement of their alliance.
The “2+2” talks, involving foreign and defence ministers from both nations, will focus on extended deterrence, which underscores the US commitment to using its nuclear and conventional forces to deter attacks on allies, Japan’s foreign ministry announced on Monday.
During the visit, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will hold bilateral talks with Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa, while US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will participate in trilateral discussions with defence ministers from Japan and South Korea.
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In April, Tokyo and Washington unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening their alliance, marking what Biden hailed as the most significant upgrade since its inception in 1951. These initiatives include deepening cooperation in defence industries and enhancing military command structures to bolster coordination. Both countries seek to address perceived regional threats from China, North Korea, and Russia.
“These historic 2+2 talks will solidify our shift from focusing on Alliance protection to projecting Alliance capabilities,” remarked US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel.
“With the transformation of the command structure of US forces in Japan, aligned with Japan’s launch of its joint command next March, the Alliance will be well-prepared to address security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region for years to come.”
