Tokyo and Washington Agree to Enhance Joint Production of Defense Equipment

SadaNews - Tokyo and Washington agreed on Friday to enhance joint production of defense equipment, including missiles, and to expand their military presence in the waters southwest of the Japanese main islands, as China increases pressure on its neighbor.

This agreement comes after a meeting between Japanese Defense Minister Shingo Kiyozumi and his U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth in Washington, where they also committed to strengthening cooperation in supply chains, including critical minerals.

Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have been tense due to remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi in November that Japan may intervene militarily if China attacks Taiwan. Beijing demands the reunification of Taiwan, considering it part of its territory, a stance rejected by the self-governing island's government.

In another sign of rising tensions, Beijing announced last week that it would tighten controls on exports of dual-use civilian and military goods to Japan, raising concerns in Tokyo about dwindling supplies of vital rare minerals.

A statement from the Japanese Defense Ministry said, "With the rapid deterioration of the security situation" in Asia, "the two ministers confirmed that the Japan-U.S. alliance remains strong." They agreed to continue developing joint production of air-to-air missiles and ground-to-air interceptor missiles.

The statement added that the allies also agreed to work on expanding the scope of "more advanced joint exercises in various locations, including the southwestern region."

Strengthening defense around this area, which includes regions like Okinawa, is a priority for Japan. Okinawa, which hosts most of the U.S. military bases in Japan, serves as a key U.S. site for monitoring China, the Taiwan Strait, and the Korean Peninsula, with both Tokyo and Washington affirming its strategic importance.