A Vital Next Step for the U.S.-Japan Alliance: Command and Control Modernization
CsisFeb 01
Report: US, Japan to Sign Revamped Security Pact
The Facts
For the first time since their military relationship began 60 years ago, the US and Japan will reportedly sign a new security agreement amid rising tensions with China and North Korea.
The agreement reportedly includes strengthening the US command center in Japan and creating a joint command center between the US military and the Japanese land, sea, and air forces by March 2025.
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
While Japan may not need a South Korea-style joint command partnership for legal reasons, Washington and Tokyo need to bolster their military operations to combat China's aggression in the region. This should include Japanese and American personnel stationed in both countries, who aim to conduct bilateral operations alongside other regional allies like South Korea and Australia. With 60 years of partnership under their belts, the US and Japan have no reason not to build a strong shared defense and surveillance apparatus.
Pro-China narrative
The US and Japan are both eager to grow their military partnership to bring China into a war over Taiwan. As the US is expanding its military presence to maintain its global hegemony through military force, Japan is willing to go along with it to maintain its position as the economic leader of East Asia. Through its recent series of military agreements in the region, the US hopes to make its allies do the dirty work should a conflict arise. However, this will backfire, as Tokyo will also ensure American troops are on the front lines.
Nerd narrative
There's a 51% chance that if China invades Taiwan before 2035, Japan will respond with military forces, according to the Metaculus prediction community.