WASHINGTON — The United States and Japan unveiled plans Wednesday to strengthen their alliance to help counter threats from North Korea and China, which they called the greatest security challenge in the region.
From left, Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, Hayashi, Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Washington on Wednesday.
In addition, the U.S. space agency NASA plans to sign a cooperation deal with Japan on Friday, they said.
Austin noted that Wednesday’s agreement affirms America’s “ironclad commitment to defend Japan with a full range of capabilities, including nuclear” and underscores that Article 5 of the mutual security treaty applies to the Senkaku Islands.
That would make its defense budget the world’s third largest — a dramatic shift in Tokyo’s priorities that reflects growing concerns about North Korea and potential Chinese military action against Taiwan.