Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is focused on boosting defense and security ties with the United States and other like-minded nations such as the Philippines. In a recent interview with foreign media, Kishida emphasized the importance of defense industry cooperation and expressed his intention to improve deterrence and response capability within the Japan-U.S. alliance. As part of efforts to enhance security cooperation, Japan aims to strengthen collaboration in defense equipment and technology, with the goal of expanding and fortifying deterrence capability through multi-layered networks of cooperation.
Kishida's upcoming visit to the United States, scheduled from April 8-14, includes meetings with President Joe Biden and a trilateral summit involving Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The discussions are expected to prioritize topics such as deepening security and defense ties, expanding arms co-development, and showcasing a strong Japan-U.S. alliance across various areas. With Japan's more expansive national security strategy in 2022, Kishida's government has taken significant steps to accelerate the country's military buildup, demonstrating its willingness and capacity to enhance security cooperation with the U.S.
In pursuit of a more robust defense posture, Japan has made strategic moves such as the acquisition of U.S. Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles and the relaxation of export guidelines to facilitate overseas sales of military equipment. These changes reflect Japan's evolving approach to security challenges and its commitment to doubling defense spending while boosting deterrence against perceived threats like an assertive China. As discussions unfold during Kishida's visit, establishing a unified command structure, enhancing interoperability, and exploring new frameworks for weapons co-development are likely to be key areas of focus to bolster regional security.
Moreover, in the context of growing concerns over China's activities in the region, Japan, the United States, and the Philippines are expected to discuss the strengthening of security cooperation. The three nations share apprehensions about China's behavior in the South China Sea, particularly amid tensions over territorial claims, signaling a united front in addressing maritime security challenges. Additionally, the upcoming talks are anticipated to touch upon space cooperation, with Japan's participation in NASA's Artemis moon program and the contribution of a significant moon rover project developed in partnership with Toyota Motor Corp. These collaborative efforts underscore the shared interests in space exploration and technological advancements between Japan and the U.S.