Photo/Illutration Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, left, and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin before holding talks at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on April 4 (Photo by Yuko Lanham)

ARLINGTON, VA.--The United States welcomed moves by Japan to consider first strike capability against enemy bases as part of efforts to bolster its defense in a rapidly changing security environment.

Defense chiefs of both nations, meeting here May 4, also reaffirmed the urgency of implementing programs to strengthen their ability to deter and respond to possible threats from China.

During the wide-ranging talks, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin also condemned Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, calling it totally unacceptable as it challenges the world order. They reaffirmed that the two countries would continue to provide utmost support to beleaguered Ukraine.

Kishi pledged to expand Japan’s commitment to helping restore security in Europe.

“We can no longer separate the security of the Indo-Pacific from that of Europe, and I am determined to enhance Japan’s commitment to the security of Europe from such a point of view,” he said.

Austin expressed concern during the 75-minute meeting about China, citing its maritime advances and aggressive behavior in the East China and South China seas.

“China’s recent behavior poses a profound challenge to common norms, values and institutions that underpin that order,” he stated.

Austin also reassured Kishi that Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Treaty, which stipulates that the United States has an obligation to defend Japan, would be applied if China makes any move to seize control of the disputed Senkaku Islands, which come within the jurisdiction of Okinawa Prefecture in far southern Japan. The uninhabited isles are also claimed by China, which calls them Diaoyu Islands.

Austin said the United States is opposed to any unilateral action intended to change the status quo and administration of the islands by Japan.

The two chiefs also agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait.

Austin touched on the U.S. extended deterrence, including the nuclear umbrella, for Japan, at the outset of the meeting.

He said the United States would maintain its “unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan to include our extended deterrence commitments using our full range of conventional and nuclear capabilities.”

The gesture follows threats by Russian President Vladimir Putin to use nuclear weapons in relation to the war in Ukraine. Another matter of concern is North Korea’s continuing push to advance its nuclear development program.

Hailing the U.S. stance, Kishi said it is becoming more important for Tokyo and Washington to work together to ensure that U.S. nuclear deterrence remains credible and resolute.

In the aftermath of the Ukraine crisis, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has argued that the two allies should work together to allow U.S. nuclear weapons to be deployed in Japan for use in an emergency.

While some lawmakers in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party support Abe’s argument, the incumbent prime minister, Fumio Kishida, is against the proposal.

Austin’s reassurance concerning U.S. extended deterrence commitments acted to dampen any discussion on the sharing of nuclear weapons.

(This article was written by Naoki Matsuyama and Washington correspondent Ryo Kiyomiya.)

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