Hegseth Visit Firms Up Defense Alliance to Deter China

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During his visit to Asia, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth pledged that the United States would work with its allies to strengthen deterrence. Their shared purpose, he stated, was to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, including Taiwan.

On March 30, Hegseth met with Defense Minister Gen Nakatani at the ministry headquarters in Ichigaya, Tokyo. The two agreed to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US alliance. To do so, they confirmed that Japan and the US would each strengthen their respective defense capabilities.

We would like to see the might of the alliance for deterring China used to safeguard peace.

Inside Nakatani-Hegseth Meeting

Hegseth started the meeting by declaring that the Japan-US alliance is stronger than ever. He added that the two defense chiefs would discuss "deterrence, including in the Taiwan Strait."

During their joint press conference, Hegseth repeated this determination. He stressed: "America and Japan stand firmly together in the face of aggressive and coercive actions by the Communist Chinese. America is committed to sustaining robust, ready, and credible deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, including across the Taiwan Strait."

*Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (right) and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hold a joint press conference at the Ministry of Defense on March 30. (Pool photo)*

Protecting the First Island Chain

On March 28, while visiting the Philippines, Hegseth met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr at Malacañang Palace in Manila. At that time, he also stressed the importance of the US alliance with the Philippines to the region. According to reports, he said, "Deterrence is necessary around the world, but specifically in this region, in your country, considering the threats from the Communist Chinese."

Secretary Hegseth's actions and words show the determination of the US not to hand over to China control of the first island chain. That includes countries and islands stretching from Kyushu through Japan's Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, the Philippines, and the South China Sea.

Within that region, a Taiwan contingency could easily develop into a Japan contingency. Therefore, it is significant that Trump's secretary of defense should demonstrate such determination to strengthen deterrence against China and willingness to cooperate with Japan and other nations to do so.

A Solid Shared Defense Posture

Although he expects Japan to increase its defense spending, Hegseth did not discuss specific numbers when he met with Nakatani. Both recognized that China continues to expand its aggressive military, however.

Japan should independently strengthen its Self-Defense Forces (SDF), including by increasing defense spending, for deterrence. To that end, a defense posture in which Japan and the United States act together is absolutely necessary.

Hegseth revealed that the first phase of a plan to reorganize US Forces Japan into a "Joint Force Command" has also begun. This, he explained, is related to strengthening the command and control framework linking the SDF and the US military. He characterized it as a "warfighting headquarters." Hopefully, that will soon become a reality.

Honoring Those Who Died

On March 29, a joint US-Japan memorial service was held on the island of Iwo Jima (Ioto). That site was the scene of a fierce battle towards the end of the Pacific War. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Nakatani, and Hegseth were among those in attendance.

During the March 30 press conference, Hegseth said that a ceremony he attended the day before had convinced him the SDF and US military units have inherited the fighting spirit and honorable legacies of their predecessors. That statement reflects well on the continuing strength and resiliency of the Japan-US alliance.

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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