Defense News: US, Japan agree to two defense pacts amid China worries
WASHINGTON ― The U.S. and Japan are close to signing a new five-year pact for Japan to support U.S. military forces in the country and a new agreement to research and develop new defense technologies, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday.
Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met virtually with their Japanese counterparts — Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo — on Thursday amid rising tensions between the allies and China. Austin participated from home as he recovers from COVID-19.
“We’re launching a new research and development agreement that will make it easier for our scientists, for engineers and program managers, to collaborate on emerging defense-related issues: countering hypersonic threats, advancing space capabilities,” Blinken said ahead of the meeting.
“When Japanese and American researchers bring their complementary strengths to bear, we can out-compete and out-innovate anyone.”
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WNU Editor: China has responded to this defense agreement .... Japan deepens defense ties with US to target China, seeking to justify amending the war-renouncing constitution (Global Times).
Japan And US Deepen Military Ties In Bid To Counter China And North Korea
Joint Statement of the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee ("2+2") -- US Department of Defense
Japan extends US military support amid China, N.Korea 'challenges' -- AFP
U.S., Japan hail stronger ties, including 2 new defence deals -- AP
Japan, U.S. Say They'll Work Together to Deter China Threats -- Bloomberg
US and Japan seek new security cooperation -- DW
US, Japan to Launch New Defense Research and Development Agreement -- VOA
US, Japan chide China as they deepen defence ties -- Al JAzeera
5 comments:
Just like how US diplomacy brought Russia and China together, R/C brought Japan and US closer. But such agreements are a little too late.
US poodle.
"US poodle..." of course we would need to carefully study the details of this arrangement to properly determine who the primary beneficiary is before making such statements. If this is like most US "alliances" including the historic relationship between the US and Japan, such an assessment would be inaccurate.
It would be more accurate to say the US is and has been a "Japanese poodle." At best, to call the Japanese a "US poodle" is extremely insulting to the Japanese and their leadership. For the US to survive let alone prosper in the coming years, good working relations with countries like Japan are going to be vital. Insulting them in this manner does not help in forging such relations.
I feel sorry for Japan. They are attaching themselves to a sinking ship. Besides, everyone knows the US under Biden will not honor their word.
Which ship is "sinking?" The Japanese are very, very shrewd. They do not attach themselves to other ships that are sinking. Perhaps Japan is "sinking" and feels the need to seek out allies. Frankly, I'm concerned Japan may do something that pulls the US into a conflict that doesn't serve our interests.
It is the perception among many that team Biden will not honor their/America's commitment. Especially after Afghanistan this is a legitimate concern. With that said, rightly or wrongly, the conventional wisdom is team Biden's hands were tied because of previous actions by the Trump administration. Furthermore team Biden is well aware of this perception and will want to act decisively to prove the critics wrong. As such, I expect them to honor the commitment even at the expense of American interests. Even if American is unwilling or unable to uphold its agreements Japan is pursuing other avenues such as defense agreements with Australia. So, no Japan is not "attaching" itself to America. To suggest this is actually insulting to Japanese and their leadership.
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