Japan and the United States are discussing ways to strengthen their military cooperation, a Japanese government spokesman said after press reports that the US is stepping up its military operations in the archipelago to counter China, AFP reported.
"Japan and the United States are discussing ways to strengthen their cooperation in terms of command and authority to improve interaction and readiness," government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said.
"I understand that nothing has been decided on the U.S. side regarding the structure, including strengthening the functions of U.S. forces in Japan," he added.
The Financial Times and Japanese media, citing diplomatic sources, said the review of the security agreement between the allies would be announced at a U.S.-Japan summit next month in Washington.
According to the media, the aim is to counter China's military expansion and political influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
There are currently 54,000 US troops on bases in Japan.
Japan is currently increasing its defense spending to meet NATO's target of 2% of GDP by 2027, and has warned that China represents the "greatest strategic challenge" to its security.
According to the Japanese daily Yomiuri, a permanent joint US-Japan team could be established in Japan to ensure closer military coordination, while Japan currently has to consult the US Indo-Pacific Command based in Hawaii for various solutions.
For its part, the Financial Times explains that "the Pentagon is still far from a decision," but that Japan and the U.S. wish to strengthen ties "in response to what they see as a growing threat from China."
The newspaper also described the plans as "the biggest improvement in the security alliance (between the US and Japan) since the signing of the mutual defense treaty in 1960".
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will meet US President Joe Biden during a state visit to Washington on April 10.
The following day, also in Washington, the two countries will participate in a summit with the Philippines. / BGNES
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