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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani met in Tokyo on March 30, 2025. Both leaders emphasized the critical role of Japan in maintaining regional stability and deterring what they describe as “Chinese military aggression.”

Hegseth announced that plans to upgrade the U.S. military command in Japan would soon get underway. He detailed that the current U.S. Forces Japan would be reorganized into a new “war-fighting headquarters.”

This restructuring is designed to consolidate command operations under a unified operational commander who will work in close coordination with Japan’s counterpart command established by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. “Japan is our indispensable partner in deterring Communist Chinese military aggression,” Hegseth declared at the beginning of his talks. He continued, “The U.S. is moving fast, as you know, to reestablish deterrence in this region and around the world.”

This transformation is part of a broader strategy that was set in motion in July under the previous administration, when then-President Joe Biden’s White House announced a major revamp of the U.S. military command in Japan. The goal was to deepen coordination with Tokyo’s forces, as both nations now label China as their “greatest strategic challenge.”

With more than 50,000 U.S. troops already stationed on Japanese soil, this change is intended to sharpen the rapid response and joint operational capabilities of allied forces, ensuring they are better prepared for any emerging threat.

Shared warrior ethos

During the meetings, Hegseth emphasized not only the tactical benefits of the reorganization but also the shared values that underpin the U.S.-Japan alliance. “We share a warrior ethos that defines our forces,” he told Defense Minister Gen Nakatani.

Hegseth further added that Japan is a “cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific,” reinforcing the view that Japan’s role in the region is indispensable in maintaining stability and countering Chinese military ambitions.

The U.S. sees this strategic partnership with Japan as crucial due to the region facing a possible Taiwan emergency and increased military pressure from China. Hegseth’s remarks make clear that both nations are committed to ensuring “sustaining, robust, ready and credible deterrence” across the region, including along the Taiwan Strait. By transforming the command structure and deepening military cooperation, the United States and Japan aim to secure a rapid, coordinated response to any contingencies that may arise.

Enhancing industrial cooperation

Beyond restructuring command, both sides agreed to accelerate joint industrial projects aimed at bolstering missile capabilities. The two sides agreed to jointly develop and produce beyond-visual-range air-to-air AMRAAM missiles and to explore the possibility of collaborating on SM-6 surface-to-air defense missiles. This collaboration is critical at a time when there is an acknowledged shortage of munitions, a shortage that both countries are determined to remedy through closer industrial ties and enhanced technological cooperation.

Furthermore, efforts are underway to streamline the maintenance of U.S. warships and warplanes stationed in Japan. This initiative not only ensures that the equipment remains at peak operational efficiency but also bolsters the complementary defense industries of both nations. The commitment to technological advancement and joint production underlines the comprehensive nature of the military partnership, designed to keep pace with evolving security challenges.

Strategic reassurances and regional dynamics

The reorganization of U.S. forces in Japan comes at a time when there has been considerable concern in Tokyo about the future of U.S. engagement under President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy. Japanese officials had expressed worries about potential shifts in U.S. strategic priorities, compounded by Trump’s past threats to impose trade tariffs on Japan.

Fantastic welcome by the @ModJapan_en Honor Guard—a testament to the strength, discipline, and tradition of the U.S.-Japan alliance. I look forward to discussing the need for credible deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. pic.twitter.com/ZtNc67IaHO

— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) March 30, 2025

Despite these concerns, Hegseth’s visit and the substantive agreements reached signal a continued commitment to the alliance. The U.S. government, he assured, would work closely with Japan, a key Asian ally, to ensure that security and deterrence remain paramount.

Hegseth’s call for “greater access to Japan’s strategic southwest islands” along the edge of the contested East China Sea, an area critical to the balance of power near Taiwan, further illustrates the proactive measures being considered. Although the Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment, the move is seen as a clear signal of Washington’s intent to fortify its strategic positions in the region.

Hegseth joins Iwo Jima service

Hegseth joined Japanese leaders at the war memorial service on Iwo Jima on Saturday, marking his first visit to Japan since assuming his post. At the historic site of the pivotal World War II battle between Japanese and U.S. forces, Hegseth, and top Japanese officials, including Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, paid tribute to those who lost their lives during the month-long February 1945 conflict, which claimed approximately 21,900 Japanese and 7,000 U.S. soldiers.

Speaking at the ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the battle, Hegseth affirmed that the U.S.-Japanese alliance remains the cornerstone of freedom, prosperity, security, and peace in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The alliance shows how yesterday’s enemy has become today’s friend,” he declared, emphasizing the enduring strength of the partnership. In a poignant gesture, Hegseth, alongside other senior U.S. officials, laid a wreath at a cenotaph honoring the war dead.

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba echoed these sentiments, vowing to elevate Japan’s alliance with Washington and reminding everyone that current peace and prosperity are built on sacrifices and relentless efforts spanning over eight decades since the war’s end.

Controversy and calls for accountability

However, Hegseth’s visit was not without its controversies. His trip, which also included a stop in the Philippines, has been overshadowed by revelations that he texted details of imminent U.S. strikes on Yemen in a Signal messaging app group that included prominent figures such as Jeffrey Goldberg, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.

When a shouted question arose regarding whether he had posted classified information to the group, Hegseth did not respond. Gabbard later told Congress that the defense secretary would be the one to determine what defense information is classified. This controversy underscores the high stakes involved in managing sensitive military information, even as the broader strategic focus remains on deterring Chinese aggression.

The comprehensive steps U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth announced during his visit to Japan reflect a multi-faceted strategy to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance. The initiatives are designed to address an increasingly complex security environment, from upgrading command structures to joint development of advanced missile systems and ensuring robust deterrence along critical strategic lines.

As the Indo-Pacific region faces unprecedented challenges, the enhanced military cooperation between the United States and Japan is poised to serve as a cornerstone in maintaining regional stability and deterring any potential aggression by China.