Japan, US Discuss Boosting Military Cooperation
Japan and the United States are discussing ways to boost military cooperation, Tokyo's top government spokesman said Monday, after reports said U.S. operations in the country could be strengthened to counter China.
Japanese media and the Financial Times, citing diplomatic sources, said a review of the allies' security pact will be announced at a U.S.-Japan summit next month in Washington.
The reports said the move is part of steps to counter China's expanding military and political influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
"Japan and the United States have been discussing ways to strengthen cooperation in command and control in order to enhance interoperability and readiness," government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters.
"My understanding is that nothing has been decided regarding the American side's structure, including strengthening the functions of U.S. Forces Japan," he said.
There are 54,000 U.S. military personnel based in key U.S. ally Japan.
Japan is ramping up defence spending to the NATO standard of two percent of GDP by 2027, and has warned that China poses the "greatest strategic challenge" to its security.
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