Japan's Kishida Aims for Stronger Military Cooperation with US, Allies

In a significant move to bolster military and weapons development cooperation, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has expressed his intention to deepen ties with the United States and other nations, including the Philippines. This announcement came ahead of his scheduled visit to the US next week for a meeting with President Joe Biden. Highlighting the importance of defence industry collaboration, Kishida emphasized the need for Japan and the US, along with like-minded countries, to enhance their deterrence and response capabilities through security cooperation in defence equipment and technology.

Kishida's trip to the US from April 8-14 marks a notable moment as he becomes the first Japanese leader to visit Washington as a state guest since Shinzo Abe in 2015. Abe's tenure was marked by a reinterpretation of Japan's pacifist Constitution, extending its self-defence principle to cover its ally, the United States. The upcoming discussions between Kishida and Biden are anticipated to focus on strengthening security and defence ties, with an emphasis on expanding arms co-development.

Under Kishida's leadership, Japan has adopted a more assertive national security strategy in 2022, aiming to counter perceived threats from an increasingly assertive China. This includes plans to double defence spending and develop a "counterstrike" capability, highlighted by the purchase of 400 US Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles. Furthermore, Japan has relaxed its weapons export guidelines, facilitating the sale of lethal weapons and supporting the co-development of a fighter jet with the UK and Italy.

The leaders are also expected to discuss establishing a unified command structure to enhance interoperability and response capability. Additionally, plans for a new framework for weapons co-development and allowing US warship repairs in Japan are on the agenda. These steps underscore a concerted effort to strengthen defence ties not only bilaterally but also with other regional partners like the Philippines amid shared concerns over China's actions in the South China Sea.

During their meetings, Biden aims to demonstrate a united front among the US, Japan, and the Philippines against aggressive Chinese activities in disputed maritime territories. This alignment is crucial as tensions escalate over territorial claims in the South China Sea, particularly concerning Chinese actions against Philippine vessels at the Second Thomas Shoal.

Another key area of cooperation between Japan and the US is space exploration. Kishida and Biden are set to confirm Japan's involvement in NASA's Artemis moon programme, including its contribution of a moon rover developed by Toyota Motor Corp., representing a significant investment in this international partnership.

Additionally, efforts to increase Japanese student enrollment at US universities will be announced, addressing recent declines exacerbated by the COVID pandemic and economic factors. Kishida's visit will also highlight Japan's economic contributions in the US through meetings with business leaders and visits to significant investment sites like Toyota's electric vehicle battery factory and Honda's business jet subsidiary in North Carolina.

This visit underscores Japan's commitment to enhancing its security posture and economic ties with the United States, reflecting a strategic approach to addressing regional challenges and fostering international cooperation.