Ju-min Park and David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON/TOKYO – The United States will sign a new Defense Collaboration Agreement with Japan to address emerging defense threats including hypersonics or space-based capabilities. This was announced by U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken on Thursday.

The United States’ defense and foreign ministers met virtual to discuss ways of strengthening security ties. There was a particular focus on Japan’s contribution as tensions continue over North Korea missile threats and Taiwan.

Blinken claimed that the U.S. and Japan alliance should “not only reinforce the tools we already have, but also build new ones”. She cited Russia’s military buildup against Ukraine as well as Beijing’s provocative actions towards Taiwanese civilians, and North Korea’s recent missile launch.

North Korea fired a “hypersonic missile https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-says-launch-wednesday-was-hypersonic-missile-yonhap-2022-01-05” this week that successfully hit a target, its state news agency said.

Russia, China, the United States and others are all racing to create hypersonic weaponry. They have extreme maneuverability and speed that make it difficult for interceptor missiles to block them.

Blinken stated at the opening ceremony that he was launching a new agreement for research and development. This will allow our scientists and engineers to work together on developing defense-related issues.

U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin claimed that the meeting would provide a foundation for future security alliances, with evolving missions designed to “reflect Japan’s increasing capability to contribute to stability and regional peace.”

Japan is working to develop electromagnetic railgun technology for missile targeting, as its neighbors are currently testing hypersonic missiles.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government last month approved record defense spending https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-plans-record-defence-spending-2022-with-10th-straight-annual-increase-2021-12-24, with a 10th straight annual increase in 2022.

Japanese top officials stated that the development of enemy base strike capability is an option for defense. However, experts warn such a move could be hampered by domestic political themes such as pacifism.

Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Japanese foreign minister, told American counterparts that there are challenges facing the international community. These include “unilateral and corrosive efforts to change the status-quo”, abusive use of unfair pressure, and expanding authoritarian regims.”

Blinken announced that both nations would also sign a five-year agreement for the continuation of U.S. military bases in Japan. Japan had previously agreed to pay $9.3billion to help with maintenance and upkeep of U.S. force in Japan in five years.