US and Japan hold meeting to enhance defence cooperation

TOKYO: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Monday (July 29) met with his Japanese counterpart, Minoru Kihara, on the sidelines of the US-Japan Security Consultative Committee , known as “2+2”.

They agreed to enhance bilateral defence corporations, as plans for a major revamp of US military command in Japan, to deepen coordination with its ally’s forces, was announced by US and Japan on Sunday (July 28) following the 2+2 meeting.

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The new command structure would be implemented in parallel with Tokyo’s own plans to establish a joint command for its forces by March 2025.

The overhaul is among several measures taken to address what the countries said was an “evolving security environment”, noting various threats from Japan’s neighbour, China.