U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell announced that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Joe Biden will enhance coordination between the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and the U.S. military during their summit in Washington on April 10th. This agreement aims to integrate their command-and-control functions.
Campbell emphasized that Japan's establishment of a unified tactical command by 2024 demonstrates its growing independent defense capabilities. The United States will support this effort and explore the possibility of a joint command-and-control framework. Further discussions on coordination will take place within the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee.
Campbell also hinted at the potential for increased U.S. troop deployment or functional support to strengthen coordination with the SDF. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of the trilateral relationship between Japan, the United States, and the Philippines, which will complement existing regional frameworks like the Quad and the Japan-U.S.-South Korea trilateral.
Regarding North Korea, Campbell expressed concerns about its alleged arms supply to Russia and emphasized the need for denuclearization measures before dialogue can be considered. However, he noted that North Korea has shown no willingness to engage directly with any governments in recent years.