President Joe Biden is set to meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington to upgrade a decades-old security alliance in response to China’s growing threat in the Pacific.
The two leaders are expected to unveil a plan to restructure the U.S. military command in Japan on April 10, during Kishida’s state visit in Washington.
People familiar with the situation told the Financial Times that the restructuring would enhance operational planning and exercises between the two nations’ militaries. The move is meant to coordinate a response to regional crises, such as an invasion of Taiwan.
“Japan and the United States have been discussing ways to strengthen cooperation in command and control in order to enhance interoperability and readiness,” Yoshimasa Hayashi, a spokesperson for the Japanese government, told reporters.
“My understanding is that nothing has been decided regarding the American side’s structure, including strengthening the functions of U.S. Forces Japan,” he added.
According to reports, the Biden administration is considering creating a new joint task force under the U.S. Pacific Fleet, a component of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command stationed in Hawaii. The four-star commander of the new task force will spend more time in Japan to coordinate with the Japanese military. Over time, the entire fleet will move to Japan.
Sources also said Washington might upgrade the USFJ. Japan has long been urging the U.S. to give the three-star USFJ commander more operational authority.
Kishida and Biden will also participate in a three-way summit between Japan, the U.S. and the Philippines on April 11.
