The US Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, has announced that the United States has begun the process of rearming its forces in Japan, with the goal of establishing a headquarters for potential military operations in the region. This move is part of a broader restructuring of the US military in Japan, announced by the Biden administration.
Hegseth stated that the rearmament will enhance the US military’s ability to coordinate operations with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and create a “strategic dilemma” in the region, leaving the enemy uncertain about US intentions. He also emphasized the importance of the US-Japan military alliance, saying that it remains the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The US has a significant military presence in Japan, with around 55,000 troops stationed on air, sea and marine bases. Hegseth’s comments were likely aimed at allaying concerns in Tokyo about the durability and reliability of the US-Japan partnership under the Trump administration.
The US Defense Secretary also reaffirmed the country’s commitment to providing a “credible deterrent” in support of Taiwan, stating that the US will maintain a “robust and credible deterrent in the Indo-Pacific, including the Taiwan Strait.”
Hegseth made similar statements during a visit to the Philippines, where he emphasized the strength of the US-Philippines alliance in the face of a rising China. The comments by Trump earlier this year had raised questions about the validity of long-standing alliances, including the NATO partnership and had a ripple effect in Asia, where Japan is heavily reliant on the US security umbrella.