US Welcomes Japan's Security Policy Shift as "Historic Step, Alliance Strengthening"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The White House welcomed Japan's security policy shift to possess "counterattack capabilities," calling it a "historic measure" that will "strengthen and modernize the US-Japan alliance."

According to the White House, Jake Sullivan, US National Security Advisor, stated in a press release on the 16th (local time), "Japan's adoption of a new National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and Defense Buildup Plan is a bold and historic step to strengthen and defend a free and open Indo-Pacific," evaluating it as such.

Advisor Sullivan mentioned, "It reflects Prime Minister Kishida's and the Japanese people's vision to form a broad and strong community of partners and allies to support peace and stability in the region." Furthermore, "in line with Japan's goal to significantly increase defense investment, the US-Japan alliance will also be strengthened and modernized," he said. He added that this new strategy makes Prime Minister Kishida's firm commitment to international peace and nuclear non-proliferation even clearer.

On the same day, the Japanese government held an extraordinary cabinet meeting and passed revisions to the so-called "three security documents": the National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and Defense Buildup Plan, which explicitly include possessing "counterattack capabilities." The core points include possessing counterattack capabilities to directly strike missile bases of neighboring countries such as North Korea and China, and increasing current defense spending to 2% of GDP within five years.

Unlike the immediate strong opposition from the Chinese government, the US expressed its welcome.

On the same day, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken also stated in a press release, "Japan's new documents renew the alliance's ability to promote peace in the Indo-Pacific and worldwide and protect the rules-based order," and praised "Japan's commitment to modernize the alliance through increased investment in enhanced roles, missions, and capabilities, as well as close defense cooperation with the US, other allies, and partners."

Patrick Ryder, spokesperson for the US Department of Defense, also expressed strong support, saying, "We have been very clear that we broadly support the efforts of allies and partners to strengthen their right to self-defense."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.