The US and Japan have formed a crucial partnership to counter China’s military aggression, with the two nations strengthening their defense ties in a bid to deter communist Chinese military power.
The United States and Japan have long-standing defense ties that are crucial in deterring communist Chinese military aggression, according to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. During a recent trip to Tokyo, Hegseth emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong relationship between the two countries to counterbalance China‘s growing military power.
Established in 1951, the US-Japan alliance is a cornerstone of regional security.
The Treaty of San Francisco, signed in 1951, officially ended Japan's state of war with the Allied Powers and established the basis for their post-war relationship.
Today, the alliance encompasses defense cooperation, economic ties, and cultural exchange between the US and Japan.
With a combined GDP of over $5 trillion, the US and Japan are among the world's largest economies, fostering a strong foundation for bilateral relations.
A Warrior Ethos Unites Two Nations
Hegseth shared a warrior ethos with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, stating that ‘Japan is our indispensable partner in deterring communist Chinese military aggression‘. This sentiment was echoed by Hegseth during his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The US and Japan have a long history of cooperation on defense issues, and their shared values and commitment to freedom are seen as key factors in countering China’s growing influence.
Protecting the Taiwan Strait
The Taiwan Strait is a critical region where tensions between China and the US have been escalating in recent years. Beijing has increased its military pressure around Taiwan, including near-daily air incursions, and has not ruled out using force to bring the self-ruled island under its control. Hegseth emphasized America’s commitment to sustaining robust deterrence in the region, including across the Taiwan Strait.
The Taiwan Strait is a 180-kilometer-wide waterway that separates the island of Taiwan from mainland China.
It has significant strategic importance due to its busy shipping lanes and military significance.
The strait connects the East China Sea to the South China Sea, making it a crucial route for international trade.
According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), over 3,000 vessels pass through the strait daily.
The Taiwan Strait is also an area of contention between Taiwan and China, with both sides claiming sovereignty over the islands in the strait.
Partnerships Required Despite ‘America First’ Agenda
Despite President Donald Trump‘s ‘America First‘ agenda, which prioritized domestic interests over international alliances, Hegseth made it clear that the US and Japan stand firmly together in countering China‘s aggressive actions. Japan currently hosts 50,000 US military personnel, squadrons of fighter jets, and Washington’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier strike group along a 1,900-mile East Asian archipelago.
A Call for Reciprocal Defense Spending
President Trump had previously called on US allies in Asia to increase military spending and take greater responsibility for their own defense. Japan‘s government has been reeling from Trump‘s decision to impose a 25% tariff on auto imports from April 3. Hegseth emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries, stating that ‘America first does not mean America alone‘.
Reciprocal defense spending refers to a military strategy where two or more countries agree to spend equal amounts on their respective defense budgets.
This concept is based on the idea that a country's defense expenditure should be proportional to its economic capabilities and security needs.
The goal of reciprocal defense spending is to promote stability, deter aggression, and maintain a balance of power in international relations.
It also aims to reduce the financial burden on individual countries and encourage cooperation among nations.
