Japan-U.S. Defense Ministers Conference: Expanding Cooperation in the Alliance for Stability in Asia

In order to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, expanding cooperation between Japan-U.S. defense departments and enhancing the efficiency of the alliance are crucial.

Secretary of Defense Panetta made his first visit to Japan and held a conference with Prime Minister Noda, Defense Minister Ichikawa and Foreign Minister Genba. The secretary emphasized, in a series of discussions, that “the United States, as a Pacific nation, is and will remain a Pacific power in this region.”

Due to current economic difficulties, the U.S. government is considering large-scale cuts to defense expenditures. Meanwhile, Secretary Panetta fiercely desires to fight against declarations inhibiting the presence of American armed forces in Asia.

However, there is also disarray in the unstable security conditions in Asia. Since the threat of North Korea is increasing and China is rapidly reinforcing and modernizing its armaments, the U.S. is also strengthening its assertions.

Both Japan and the U.S. are heightening collaboration between their defenses for peace time; neither will neglect preparations for a system that can deal with unexpected situations.

Minister Ichikawa and Secretary Panetta have agreed to the expansion of collaborative lookout and surveillance activities, such as joint exercises and shared use of bases, between the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and U.S. Armed Forces.

Every year, the JSDF and U.S. Armed Forces enforce various cooperative practices. Enriching their contents and coming to a more realistic agreement is important.

For the first time, last December, leaders of the South Korean military participated as observers in joint military exercises between Japan and America. However, both strengthening collaboration — not only with South Korea but also with Australia, India and various South Asian countries — and magnifying the role of the Japan-U.S. alliance as the central figure in a multinational cooperative network are essential.

In the bases shared between Japan and America, the coordination between them is becoming more tight-knit. Among other tasks, the JSDF conveys the requests of citizens living around the bases to the U.S. Armed Forces, making it possible for them to also fulfill the role of mediator. I would like this to progress at a steady rate.

The joint lookout and surveillance activities by Japan and the U.S. that have been focusing on the southwest, and the tight division of roles and information sharing between JSDF and U.S. Armed Forces in both the sea and the sky, are closely related. They embody the significance of the “Dynamic Defense Force” concept that was established at the end of last year.

With regard to the issue of relocating American forces located at Air Station Futenma, Minister Ichikawa explained to Secretary Panetta his policy of submitting an environmental impact assessment statement for an alternative facility to the Okinawa prefecture within the year, and agreed to proceed with the Henoko relocation as early as possible.

After deciding on the plan for the Henoko relocation in May of last year, the Democratic Party of Japan ended up neglecting to contribute any concrete effort in forcing progress on the issue, and strayed from their path to an outcome.

The submission of the assessment statement is an important step in advancing the Futenma issue and the resulting transfer of the Marine Corps in Okinawa to Guam, but what’s truly crucial is the implementation of the Henoko relocation. It is within Prime Minister Noda’s power to demand firm decision and action toward a comprehensive agreement for both the encouragement and inclusion of Okinawa Prefecture.