By: Wesley Zhao

The growing threat of China’s power has led the top diplomatic and defense officials from the US and Japan to take steps to strengthen their bonds. The steps would have them establishing a joint force headquarters that would follow the American Commander in the Indo-Pacific. They also want increased co-production of air-to-air missiles and interceptor missiles.

“The U.S. will have a direct leadership role in planning and leading U.S. forces in both peacetime and in potential crises,” Lloyd J. Austin III. This statement changed alliance relationships mainly because of China’s aggressiveness in the military. But because of the 2024 election, allied countries are worried that if Trump wins, he will pull them out because he said th union was too costly.

They think that Harris will continue Biden’s way of doing things. Because of Trump, Japan and South Korea are worried because China is next to them and they fear that they will attack them, plus, American troops are stationed in Korea and Japan. Biden has noticed this and announced upgrades to military cooperation with Japan.

The statement from Mr. Blinken and Mr. Austin and their Japanese counterparts, Yoko Kamikawa and Minoru Kihara, had details of further cooperation on their weapons. One notable line said “Japan planned to help produce more Patriot interceptor missiles, which the United States and allied nations have been supplying to Ukraine to aid in warding off Russian air attacks.” (New York Times)

Without Japan and America being allied, things could go south because of Japan’s size, allies and location. You can absolutely say that Japan will benefit from having the US as an ally and will feel the loss of their partnership is Trump is elected.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/28/world/asia/us-japan-military-alliance.html