US, Japan to Expand Defense Partnership With New Joint Operations Command
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States and Japan will establish a Joint Operations Command (JJOC) to enhance military cooperation, according to a joint statement of Washington-Tokyo Security Consultative Committee released by the US Department of Defense on Sunday.
This initiative was agreed upon by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, along with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, according to the statement.
"The United States welcomed Japan's reinforcement of its defense capabilities, including the sustained increase in its defense budget, the creation of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) Joint Operations Command (JJOC), the focus on cybersecurity, and the possession of counterstrike capabilities," the statement read.
Washington and Tokyo will boost cooperation by aligning decision-making and coordinating military plans and exercises, the statement said.
"This includes facilitating greater interoperability on joint bilateral operations, such as: intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) activities, training and exercises; operational planning; contingency planning; and logistics," the statement read.
The newly established JJOC will enhance their readiness to address emerging threats in the Indo-Pacific, and this cooperation also aims to strengthen deterrence capabilities, according to the statement.
Austin claimed that the decision to establish the JJOC was not related to China's activities, adding that "it is based on our desire and our ability to work closer together and to be more effective," during a joint press conference following the 2+2 meeting in Tokyo.
Washington will continue to strengthen its alliance with Tokyo regardless of the outcome of the upcoming US presidential election, Austin added.
"Anytime you see that level of bipartisan support [for Japan] in our government, you can expect that things will continue to improve and strengthen and no matter who is in charge," he said.
