U.S. Plans to Transform U.S. Forces Japan into Unified Joint Forces Headquarters

The United States plans to transform U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) into a joint force headquarters, which will report directly to the commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. This strategic modernization was announced by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III following a pivotal ministerial meeting in Tokyo.

The meeting brought together notable figures, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, and Japan’s Defense Minister Minoru Kihara.

“We welcome an historic decision to modernize our alliance command and control to better meet the challenges of today and tomorrow,” Austin stated during a press briefing. “The United States will upgrade the U.S. Forces Japan to a joint force headquarters with expanded missions and operational responsibilities.”

The upgraded command will be led by a three-star officer and act as a counterpart to Japan’s Self-Defense Forces Joint Operations Command. Austin emphasized that this change represents the most significant shift in U.S. Forces Japan in its history and will strengthen military ties that have spanned seven decades. He highlighted that Japan’s new Joint Operations Command would allow for closer cooperation and enhanced deterrence capabilities.

Discussions also focused on expanding bilateral military presence in Japan’s Southwest Islands. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation on cybersecurity, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and cross-domain operations, alongside joint exercises and training. Additionally, defense industrial cooperation and co-production opportunities for expanding missile production capacities were highlighted.

According to a joint statement by the Security Consultative Committee, participants explored expanding production capacity for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles.

“Finally, we held a separate two-plus-two ministerial-level meeting on extended deterrence, and that has never been done before,” Austin said. He expressed the U.S.’s ironclad commitment to Japan’s defense, including nuclear capabilities, during these discussions.

The extended deterrence meeting also covered North Korea’s destabilizing regional activities, China’s nuclear expansion, and Russia’s illegal arms transfers with North Korea.

“We are reinforcing our combined ability to deter and respond to coercive behavior in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” Austin concluded. “We’re reinforcing the rules-based international order that keeps us all safe, and today’s agreements will ensure the U.S.-Japan alliance remains a cornerstone of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”