By Hao Xiaojun

Japan has consistently intensified its military interactions with the US through equipment upgrades, commanding coordination, joint exercise and training, and other approaches. Analysts said Japan’s accelerated military buildup and deepening of military cooperation with the US fully expose its intention of military expansion, which may exert serious negative effects on regional security.

Faster steps of equipment upgrade

Japan and the US have pushed the upgrading of their equipment in two ways.

On the one hand, the US will replace the F-15 fighter jets. American media reported that the US Air Force is pulling out all its F-15C/D fighters from the Kadena AFB in Okinawa, Japan and will station newer and more advanced Gen-4 and Gen-5 fighters there by dispatching fighters from other theaters in rotation, so as to keep a stable military presence in the region.

On the other hand, Japan will deploy the Tomahawk cruise missile. Japanese media reported that to enhance the JSDF’s so-called “counterattack capability”, the Japanese government hopes to mass-produce the improved “type 12 ground-to-ship missile” at a faster pace. But before its complete deployment, it will consider buying the Tomahawk cruise missile from the US.

Intensified interoperability

In addition to upgrading its equipment, Japan has recently kept intensifying its interoperability with the US.

First, it speeds up the establishment of a joint command. Japanese media recently reported that the Japanese government plans to set up a joint command – to be ready in 2024 at the earliest – to oversee the land, sea and maritime Self-Defense Forces and better coordinate with the US military in emergencies. At that time, a joint commander – a position second only to the chief of joint staff and directly responsible to the defense minister – will also be appointed to command the three units.

Second, it intensifies joint exercise and training. Japan’s Kyodo News reported on October 31 that the Japan Air Self-Defense Force had joint training with two US Air Force B-52 strategic bombers over the Sea of Japan on October 27 to enhance their co-response capability. The Joint Staff Office of Japan’s Defense Ministry also released a notice saying that a massive military exercise will be held in mid-November involving 26,000 troops from the JSDF and 10,000 from the US military, with the participation of Australian, Canadian, and British military as well.

Regional security and stability threatened

Both the upgrade of weapons and equipment and the reinforcement of interoperability expose to the fullest Japan’s strategic intention of banking on America’s support to strengthen its own military for war preparedness. The military cooperation between the two countries will likely go into greater depth in the future.

Japan’s position as America’s important ally will be further consolidated. The US released several defense reports recently emphasizing military alliance as vital support for its future activities worldwide. In the Asia Pacific, it will continue to intensify the relation of military alliance with Japan and other countries and keep stepping up the pressure on potential rivals based on forward military bases.

Japan’s military capacity will be significantly boosted. American media pointed out that the F-15EX, F-35A and F-22 stealth fighters are all options to replace the F-15, with the aim of boosting rather than weakening Japan’s military strengths. More advanced fighters will be stationed at Kadena AFB to further consolidate the US-Japan alliance.

Regional security will face a more severe situation. The consistently intensified interoperability between Japan and the US, although ostensibly claimingto enhance bilateral partnership and defense capability, is really aimed to curb potential rivals and jeopardize regional security and stability. Foreign media reported that the US also plans to store six nuclear-capable B-52 strategic bombers in northern Australia. For the next steps, the US will continue to build forward combat capability in the Asia Pacific in the name of improving its interoperability with regional allies. We must keep a close eye on relevant moves.