US reaffirms its ‘ironclad’ commitment to defending Japan

ISTANBUL

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed his country’s unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan as he welcomed Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara to the Pentagon on Wednesday.

Austin said that under Article V of the Japan-US Security Treaty, the US firmly commits to defending all of Japan, including the Senkaku Islands and other territories, with an “ironclad” resolve.

The remarks were part of a speech he delivered while hosting Kihara.

"This is a time of historic momentum in the US-Japan alliance. We support your government's bold decisions to invest in advanced capabilities including counterstrike, and to increase defense spending to 2% of Japan's gross domestic product by 2027," Austin said in a statement released by the US Department of Defense.

He also said that Japan and the US face major challenges, including “China's coercive behavior, North Korea's dangerous provocations and Russia's reckless war of choice against Ukraine.”

“Our force posture is becoming more versatile, more mobile and more resilient. And we're also investing in stronger ties with our friends across the region," he added, including South Korea.

Austin said that Japan, South Korea and the US are committed to collective defense efforts which encompass joint military exercises conducted within a multiyear trilateral framework, the exchange of real-time missile warning data, and the enhancement of secure communication channels.

The US is also encouraged to see Japan working more closely with allies like Australia, he said, recalling that during recent exercises, F-35A fighter jets from Australia were operating in Japan shortly after F-35s from Japan had conducted exercises in Australia.

Kihara said he looks forward to enhancing Japan's defense capabilities to serve as a deterrent against aggression in the region.

He expressed his gratitude for the US’s firm commitment to defend Japan and said Tokyo will work in close cooperation on strengthening the alliance.

The Senkaku Islands, which China asserts ownership of, are located in the East China Sea between Japan, China and Taiwan.