US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reaffirmed Japan as an “indispensable partner” in addressing Chinese military belligerence. On his first trip to Japan as head of that command, Hegseth commented that the U.S. military command in Japan is becoming a new “war-fighting headquarters” that will benefit the country with more speed and effectiveness in jointly conducted battles.
By virtual means, Hegseth addressed an audience alongside Tokyo-based Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, underscoring the urgency of needing to increase the defense capabilities as tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific region. The move follows worries of a potential Taiwan emergency, as well as rising Chinese military activities in the part.
“Japan is our indispensable ally against the communist Chinese military,” Hegseth said. He also announced the speeding up of combined U.S.-Japan missile production including the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (MRAAM) and SM-6 surface-to-air missiles to address the munitions shortages. 
The U.S. and Japan, in fact, have pledged to strengthen Japan’s defense posture especially on the South Western islands strategically situated near disputed areas of the East China Sea and Taiwan.
Hegseth also marked the 80th anniversary memorial of the Battle of Iwo Jima, a symbol of U.S.-Japan reconciliation, by attending the event. Prior to arriving in Japan he stopped in the Philippines in order to reaffirm America’s security commitments to the locale.
As global threats increase, the solidified U.S.-Japan military partnership shows a continued resolve to uphold stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
