New defense rules would give Japan new powers to aid U.S. military

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Washington Post:

Missy Ryan

April 8 2015

 

TOKYO — The United States and Japan are close to concluding a set of bilateral defense rules that if finalized would give Japan’s military new powers to act when U.S. forces are threatened by a third country, U.S. officials said Wednesday.

 

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, speaking during a visit to Tokyo, said the revision of the so-called “defense guidelines” would transform U.S. military ties with Japan, which is now grappling with a missile threat from North Korea and China’s moves to assert control of areas off its coast.

 

Under a previous bilateral arrangement, Japanese forces could protect the U.S. military only if it was operating in Japan’s direct defense, and solely in areas close to Japan. U.S. officials say the new rules, once given final approval, would broaden the geographic area where this could take place and, significantly, allow Japan to respond to an attack on the U.S. military even if the U.S. forces are not acting in defense of Japan at the time.

 

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To Quote Our Illustrious Vice President Plugs Biden..."This Is A Big F***** Deal"

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Keep on Pivoting

Apr. 8 2015

 

The United States is making a renewed push in its much-heralded pivot to Asia. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter reaffirmed that the region is the top strategic priority for the U.S. in a speech at Arizona State University on Monday, Defense News http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/policy-budget/2015/04/06/carter-pacific-pivot-japan-korea/25369219/:

 

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Its not just words, either; this week, the Administration is also putting muscle behind its claim of prioritizing Asia. The U.S. is doubling the size of annual military drills with the Philippines, one of Chinas primary territorial counter-claimants. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy is starting joint training with another of Beijings big territorial rivals, Vietnam, for the first time, on the 20th anniversary of the two countries establishment of diplomatic relations.

 

The biggest news, however, comes from Carters meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Gen. Nagataki. Though the details havent been made clear, the U.S. will be deepening its defense ties with Japan, which is rapidly re-militarizing under PM Shinzo Abe after a long period of strict, official pacifism following World War II. Expect to hear a lot more about close U.S.-Japan ties when Honest Abe comes to Washington later this month.