Japan-US Defense Leaders’ Talk

Ministrer of Defense, Gen Nakatani, had the first talk through telephone with US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, reaffirming enhancement of Japan-US alliance in Indo-Pacific region. It was an achievement for Nakatani to pin down the US in the region by confirming US commitment on Article 5 of Japan-US Security Treaty, which stipulates US responsibility for security of Japan. Japan still embraces uneasiness on possible pressure from Trump administration to increase Japan’s financial support for security.

Two defense leaders reaffirmed current agreements in security of both governments. They exchanged their determination to expand cooperation between Japanese Self-defense Force and US Forces in the region of southeast Japan, which included sea area around Taiwan. They confirmed the Article 5 would be applied to Senkaku Islands, to which China has been strengthening its territorial claim.

 

“Including enhancement of Japan-US bilateral framework in command and control, I’m going to lead the efforts with Mr. Hegseth to strengthen our alliance,” said Nakatani in his press conference. Nakatani, a veteran of the Self-defense Force, stressed a common career in defense organization with Hegseth as “infantry platoon leaders.”

 

There was a question on whether they talked about increasing Japan’s defense budget. While Nakatani refused to tell the details about the conversation with Hegseth, he explained that Japan was making effort to fundamentally enhance Japan’s defense capability. Nakatani insisted on the importance of building the network of alliances and like-minded countries, when Japan is facing the most severe and complicated security environment in post-World War II era.

 

The meeting had a meaning to pave the way for summit meeting between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and US President Donald Trump supposedly be held in Washington in February 7th. Nakatani defined strengthening Japan-US alliance as the most important issue in diplomacy and security policy of Ishiba administration. In a TV program, Ishiba revealed his recognition that Japan’s defense budget can be insufficient even if it would be increased to 2 percent of Japan’s GDP.

 

However, there is a concern in Japan that Trump administration will require further contribution of Japan to enhancement of the alliance. Elbridge Colby, whom Trump had nominated to Under Secretary of Defense, once expected Japan’s defense budget to be 3 percent of GDP. Defense policymakers in Japan are worried about powerful demand of Trump administration for Japan’s contribution to the alliance.

 

The message from Trump administration in fact is not organized. Trump’s pick for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, warned in her confirmation hearing at US Senate that Japan’s defense buildup may cause further tension between Japan and China. She questioned whether Japan’s remilitarization could be truly a good idea. It showed that there was an idea in Trump administration that Japan’s effort to enhance the alliance can be taken as an act of remilitarization.

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