Japan and the United States Hold First Ministerial Meeting on Extended Deterrence
Amid growing security concerns from China, North Korea, and Russia, Japan and the United States held their first ministerial meeting on extended deterrence in Tokyo on July 28. The meeting aimed to solidify the U.S. nuclear umbrella and strengthen the deterrence capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
Both countries acknowledged the deteriorating regional security environment, citing North Korea's nuclear ambitions, China's expanding nuclear arsenal, and Russia's military collaboration with North Korea. They emphasized the need to reinforce the alliance's deterrence posture and manage emerging threats through deterrence, arms control, and nonproliferation efforts.
Extended deterrence refers to discouraging an adversary from attacking an ally by demonstrating the willingness to retaliate with nuclear or conventional weapons. Japan and the United States have held extended deterrence dialogues at the working level since 2010. However, recent security concerns prompted Japan to request an upgrade to the ministerial level.
The ministerial meeting served as a platform for both countries to reaffirm the importance of the U.S. nuclear umbrella and demonstrate its credibility. While some critics argue that nuclear deterrence fosters distrust and militarization, Japan's unique position as the only country to experience atomic bombings underscores its commitment to a world without nuclear weapons. However, the current security environment necessitates reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella for protection.