Japan-US 2 Plus 2: Proceed with Concrete Measures To Strengthen the Alliance

The security environment surrounding Japan is deteriorating rapidly. In order to further strengthen the Japan-United States alliance, Japan itself needs to play a greater role.

The Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee, also called the 2 Plus 2 Dialogue, was held by the foreign and defense ministers of Japan and the United States. It was the first such meeting since last March and the first for the Kishida administration.

It is unfortunate that the meeting was held in an online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is significant that the meeting demonstrated the strong solidarity between Japan and the U.S. internationally.

The joint document expressed concern over the “rapid and opaque military expansion” and the “large-scale development and deployment of nuclear weapons, ballistic and cruise missiles, and advanced weapons systems such as hypersonics,” with China and other countries in mind. It then stressed the need to “constantly modernize the alliance” and “strengthen joint capabilities.”

Hypersonic weapons and new missiles flying in irregular orbits, which China, Russia and North Korea are developing and deploying, are difficult to intercept with the current missile defense system. Japan and the U.S. also urgently need to incorporate advanced technology into their equipment and drastically improve their countermeasure capabilities.

China has increased its defense spending nearly tenfold in the past 20 years, and has become a military power that surpasses even the U.S. military in the Western Pacific. North Korea has also repeatedly conducted missile tests, increasing the threat.

The Japanese and U.S. governments must face up to the growing security challenges and enhance their deterrence and response capabilities.

The four ministers agreed to accelerate cooperation on advanced technologies. They said they will begin studying the detection and interception of hypersonic weapons with a goal of joint research and development.

The Kishida administration plans to revise the National Security Strategy and other documents by the end of the year. The Biden administration is also said to be in the final stages of formulating a national security strategy. It is hoped that the two administrations will work together so that the alliance can play its role more effectively.

In response to the missile attack, Japan reportedly conveyed its intention to consider all options, including the possession of an enemy base attack capability, and confirmed that it would work closely with the U.S.

I hope that Japan and the U.S. will further discuss concrete measures on how to strengthen deterrence. With regard to economic security, such as preventing the outflow of advanced technology and strengthening supply networks, it is important to engage in dialogue at various levels and take the lead in creating rules for the international community.

The four ministers also discussed the issue of the spread of COVID-19 at U.S. military bases in Japan, including Okinawa.

The presence of U.S. forces in Japan is essential for maintaining peace in the region, but without the understanding of the local residents, they cannot be stationed there with stability. The U.S. should recognize this more strongly.