US Revamps Military Command in Japan Amid Growing China Concerns.

The US announced a significant reorganization of its military command in Japan on Sunday, aiming to enhance coordination with allied forces. The US and Japan have identified China as the “biggest strategic challenge” in the region. This announcement followed security talks in Tokyo between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and their Japanese counterparts, Yoko Kamikawa and Minoru Kihara.

Strengthening Military Ties with Japan

After the “2+2” talks, Austin stated, “The United States will elevate U.S. Forces Japan to a joint force headquarters with expanded missions and operational responsibilities. This transformation marks the most significant change in the U.S. military presence in Japan since its inception and represents one of the most substantial reforms in our military relationship with Japan in 70 years.” The new command structure will align with Tokyo’s plans to establish a joint command for its forces by March 2025, according to a joint statement from the ministers.

Addressing the Evolving Security Environment

The overhaul is part of a series of measures to address the evolving security environment, particularly the threats posed by superpower China. The statement criticized Beijing’s “provocative” actions in the South and East China Seas, joint military exercises with Russia, and the rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal. The ministers emphasized that China’s “foreign policy seeks to reshape the international system for its own benefit at the expense of others.”

Austin clarified to reporters that the command’s upgrade “is not based on any threat from China” but reflects the allies’ desire to work more closely and effectively. Japan serves as a strategic base for the US to project military power in Asia, hosting 54,000 US troops, hundreds of aircraft, and Washington’s only forward-deployed carrier strike group. In recent years, Japan has shifted from decades of postwar pacifism, driven by China’s growing military power and North Korea’s regular missile tests.