The United States Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, recently stated that deepening security integration between the US and Japan will help ensure a strong relationship between the two countries that is not influenced by political changes. He also mentioned that there is bipartisan support in the US Congress for the US-Japan alliance and for isolating the Chinese Communist Party.
According to Bloomberg’s report on Tuesday, Emanuel mentioned during a speech on Bloomberg TV on Sunday that the US plans to establish a US military command center in Japan, engage in joint production of weapons with Japan, and conduct trilateral military exercises regularly with South Korea. He summarized these initiatives as the “most important” recent outcomes for Washington in the Indo-Pacific region.
With the ongoing US election, concerns have been raised among Japanese officials due to former President Trump’s calls for allies like Japan to pay more for US military protection during his term. They are apprehensive that if Trump wins the election again, it may introduce instability into the relationship between the two countries.
Emanuel pointed out that Japan’s contributions to the US-Japan alliance, including increasing defense spending from 1% to 2% of its GDP, have helped solidify bipartisan support for the alliance in the US Congress. He emphasized that just as there is a widespread hawkish consensus towards China, the close relationship between the US and Japan also enjoys broad support from both political parties in Congress.
“I believe there is bipartisan consensus in both countries,” he said, referring to attitudes towards China and Japan, although from differing perspectives.
In a broader sense, he highlighted the US’s efforts to establish stronger alliances with other Asia-Pacific countries, making it harder for China to isolate any single nation. Beijing’s attempts to expand its influence over neighboring countries have faced setbacks.
“The tables have turned. China finds itself isolated and in a predicament now,” Emanuel stated.
Recently, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, during his visit to Tokyo, mentioned that the US military will enhance its operations in Japan, allowing Japan’s top commander to deploy and command US forces without waiting for instructions from the Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii.
Additionally, Japan plans to increase production of Patriot missiles and initiate joint production of other missiles with US defense contractors.
Last month, Emanuel emphasized that the deepening US-Japan security cooperation will enhance both countries’ capabilities in responding to military emergencies, such as strengthening collective deterrence against a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.