Bilateral alliance stronger than ever, and more necessary than ever

October 10, 2024

TOKYO – After three years in command, I am convinced the U.S.-Japan Alliance has never been more capable and powerful in countering potential threats on our horizon. Russia, North Korea and the Chinese Communist Party’s provocative and coercive actions aim to sow public doubts about America’s resolve and commitment to allies and partners in the region. The conduct of these nations demonstrates a disregard for international cooperation as embodied by a shared vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

As we undertake the most consequential evolution of our alliance since its founding, we are committed to countering attempts by bad actors aiming to dismantle the international rules-based order that has kept the peace in the Indo-Pacific for more than 70 years.

Together we are moving swiftly to counter the growing threat from potential regional adversaries. High-level bilateral engagements by our most senior policy and military leaders have led to agreements to significantly advance and modernize command and control structures. We will reconstitute U.S. Forces Japan as an operational joint force headquarters, granting USFJ the authorities to better cooperate with our Japan Self Defense Forces partners and coordinate with the new Japan Joint Operations Command. These actions will further cement our allied forces in deterring unsafe and unlawful behaviors.

Although the new force structure is a historic undertaking, we have also steadily advanced U.S.-Japan interests over the past three years through crucial bilateral and multilateral commitments and training.

We now regularly process, analyze, and share intelligence data from U.S. unmanned aerial vehicles and Japanese Coast Guard patrols in multilateral forums.