Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his intentions to ramp up military and weapons development collaboration with the United States and other allied nations such as the Philippines during an interview in Tokyo. Kishida emphasized the significance of defense industry cooperation between Japan and the U.S. and similar countries, stressing the importance of improving deterrence and response capabilities within the Japan-U.S. alliance. He outlined Japan's goals of strengthening security cooperation in defense equipment and technology, aiming to bolster deterrence capability by establishing multi-layered networks of cooperation.
As Kishida prepares for his upcoming trip to the United States from April 8-14, where he will meet with President Joe Biden, discussions are expected to revolve around elevating the Japan-U.S. alliance's security and defense collaboration. The visit will center on highlighting the rock-solid relationship between Japan and the U.S. in various areas, with a special focus on deepening security ties, enhancing deterrence against threats like China, and expanding arms co-development efforts. Kishida's government's recent moves to accelerate Japan's military buildup align with a broader national security strategy adopted in 2022, aimed at showcasing Japan's commitment to enhancing security cooperation with the U.S.
The trip is also significant in terms of Japan's evolving defense posture, with efforts being made to acquire advanced military capabilities, including the purchase of U.S. Tomahawk missiles and the relaxation of export guidelines for weapons sales. The dialogue between Kishida and Biden is expected to introduce discussions on establishing unified commands, enhancing interoperability, initiating a new framework for weapons co-development, and facilitating the repair and maintenance of U.S. warships in Japan to support operations in the Western Pacific. Moreover, the three-way discussions between Japan, the U.S., and the Philippines underpin growing concerns about China's actions in the South China Sea and aim to strengthen security cooperation in the region.
Additionally, collaboration on space initiatives, such as Japan's participation in NASA's Artemis moon program with the contribution of a moon rover developed by Toyota, is expected to be confirmed during the visit. The alliance between the U.S. and Japan is also set to announce plans to increase the number of Japanese students studying at U.S. universities. Kishida also plans to highlight Japan's economic contributions in the U.S. during his visit, reinforcing ties with American businesses and showcasing investments made by Japanese companies in the United States.