Japan agrees to new military pact with US

Japan has agreed to new military cooperation with the United States in which it will come to the aid of US forces under threat and further expand ties on cyber, space and industrial operations given rising Chinese defense capabilities.

The new US-Japan military guidelines were unveiled in New York City on Monday during bilateral negotiation in which US Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Secretary of State John Kerry held talks with their Japanese counterparts Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.

The updated military pact is further expected to lead to a greater global presence for Japan’s military, including the deployment of minesweepers to the Middle East.

The senior American defense official, who spoke to reporters ahead of the signing, described the agreement as a "very big event" that “redefines how Japan operates as a military partner around the globe,” the US-based Defense News reported.

Under the new pact, Japan will be able to defend regional allies that come under attack, “a change that means Japanese missile defense systems could be used to intercept any weapons launched toward the United States — notable, given its close proximity to North Korea,” the report added, while referring to Pyongyang as a "growing threat" to regional stability.

Additionally, the report added, Japanese presence around the globe on peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, and potentially also on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations is expected to surge as a result of the defense agreement.

This is while representatives from both countries still need to clarify many details, and after the guidelines are finalized, they need to be approved by Japanese legislators. However, the report adds, few roadblocks are expected in the process.

“In essence, the guidelines codify the major changes to Japan's military structure laid out last summer by the government of Shinzo Abe,” said the influential military journal. “It points toward a Japan that sees itself as increasingly concerned about its ability to meet its security challenges in East Asia, particularly on how to cope with the surging military power and diplomatic confidence of China.”

The senior US official was further cited in the report as highlighting space and cyber as the two key areas where Japan could expand its military ties with the US under the new guidelines.

Military industrial ties between the two nations also remain strong amid Tokyo’s recent decision to purchase the US-built F-35 joint strike fighter.

The report also notes that with the expansion of Japan's global presence, the country will need to expand its arsenal, especially if it begins to take part in ISR (Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) operations around the globe.

According to the report, Tokyo has already agreed to purchase the Global Hawk unmanned system from the US.

MFB/NN/AS

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk