Japan, US to hold security talks before Kishida lands in US

Tokyo, The Gulf Observer: Japan and the United States will hold security talks between their foreign and defense ministers in Washington the day before Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida lands in the U.S. capital next week wrapping up his tour of Group of Seven nations as Tokyo expands its military and deepens its alliance with America amid China’s growing influence.

Kishida will embark on a five-nation trip Monday to France, Italy, Britain and Canada ahead of his Jan. 13 summit with U.S. President Joe Biden. While the two leaders last met during a Group of 20 meeting in Bali, Indonesia, Kishida’s Washington visit will be his first as prime minister.

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada and Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi will fly to Washington to join their American counterparts Lloyd Austin and Antony Blinken for their “2+2” security talks on Wednesday, just before their leaders’ summit at the White House, Japanese officials said Friday.

The “2+2” talks are expected to focus on their new national security strategies, released by Japan in mid-December and the United States in October, and how the two allies plan to tackle security concerns including China, North Korea and Russia.

“We will discuss strengthening of deterrence and response capability of the Japan-U.S. alliance as we take into consideration our new strategy documents,” Hamada told reporters.

Hamada said Friday he and Austin will separately hold bilateral defense talks on Thursday to discuss details of how their militaries can expand and deepen their operations. Asked if they will discuss a revision to their current defense guideline based on Japan’s more defensive role, Hamada said nothing has been decided.

Japan in December adopted a set of three security and defense strategy documents that break from its exclusively self-defense-only stance. Under the new strategies, Japan vows to build up its counter strike capability with long-range cruise missile including U.S.-made Tomahawks that can reach potential targets in China, double its defense budget within five years and bolster development of advanced weapons.

U.S. official have welcomed Japan’s willingness to take on a more offensive role, while experts say it could also help widen cooperation with Australia, their main regional defense partner.