EDITORIAL | Japan-US 2+2 Meetings Not Enough to Reassure the Public

The foreign and defense ministers of Japan and the United States convened a meeting of the Japan-US "2+2" Security Consultative Conference in Tokyo on Sunday, July 28. They also held their initial ministerial meeting on "extended deterrence" for the defense of Japan. In this case, "extended deterrence" encompasses how to rely on US nuclear forces and other means to deter potential threats. 

These meetings follow an agreement reached in April at the Japan-US summit in Washington. It calls for the allies to ensure they are prepared to respond to significant changes in the regional security environment. These moves appear aimed at averting conflicts by improving the alliance's deterrence and response capabilities. That includes in the event of a Taiwan contingency. 

Reconstituting US Forces Japan

The 2+2 meeting confirmed the intent of the US to reconstitute US Forces Japan (USFJ) as a joint force headquarters (JFHQ) with operational command authority. Currently, it is solely responsible for managing US bases in Japan. 

The parties also commented on China's foreign policy. After the meeting, they issued a joint statement. It scathingly charged that China "seeks to reshape the international order for its own benefit at the expense of others." 

In the Ministerial Meeting on Extended Deterrence, the two sides shared the recognition that China is strengthening its nuclear capabilities. That is worsening the regional security environment, they acknowledged. Furthermore, they agreed to explore ways to strengthen extended deterrence.

Nuclear deterrence constitutes the core of extended deterrence. For the Self-Defense Forces, fulfilling their missions cannot be achieved simply by increasing their non-nuclear conventional forces. Unless nuclear deterrence is guaranteed, achieving extended deterrence would be difficult. 

Previously, only senior-level government officials from both countries participated in the Japan-US extended deterrence consultations. The addition of ministerial-level meetings to the consultations will have the effect of demonstrating the solidarity of the two allies to nuclear-armed nations such as China, North Korea, and Russia.

Spurred By Neighbors' Nuclear Buildup

However, we were frankly disappointed that the two sides did not provide concrete plans to strengthen nuclear deterrence. 

China is building up its nuclear capabilities at a torrid pace. North Korea is also racing to improve its missile forces as a means of delivering nuclear weapons. And even as it continues its invasion of Ukraine, Russia frequently issues threats of using nuclear weapons. In other words, the authoritarian nations that pose a threat to Japan are constantly strengthening their nuclear capabilities. For Japan and the US to simply hold conferences is not enough to reassure the public. 

The most important thing is that Japan never again suffer anything like the atomic bomb attacks of World War II. However, that cannot be achieved simply by calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons. 

It is also time to discuss the revision of Japan's "three non-nuclear principles." Japan and the US have now agreed upon escalation management procedures. However, isn't the stationing of US nuclear weapons in Japan and neighboring regions really what is called for? 

Coordinating Commands

The US Military is establishing the new JFHQ in Japan. That parallels Japan's plan to set up a "joint operations command" at the end of fiscal year 2024. This would unify the command of the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces. 

Japan is an independent sovereign country. Therefore, it is important that the Self-Defense Forces and the US military operate under independent command structures while maintaining cooperation with their counterparts.

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(Read the editorial in Japanese.)

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun