US, Japan plan biggest upgrade to security pact in over 60 years

TOKYO: The US and Japan are planning the biggest upgrade to their security alliance since the two countries signed a mutual defence treaty in 1960, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will unveil the plan at the White House on April 10.

The FT, citing people familiar with the situation, said the plan would restructure the US military command in Japan to strengthen operational planning and exercises between the two countries.

Biden is scheduled to host Kishida on April 10 in a formal event, which will include a lavish state dinner and a policy meeting. Japan is a close ally that is key to the United States’ strategy toward China, North Korea and other Asian security issues.

The US State Department did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The Japanese government could not immediately be reached for comment.

Japan will work to strengthen its defence and diplomatic capabilities to maintain peace, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said on Saturday, according to public broadcaster NHK, adding that military buildups around the country have been growing.

Japan is a close ally with the United States and has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, supporting Kyiv financially and joining international sanctions on Moscow.

“Military buildup, including nuclear and missile development, has been accelerating in areas surrounding Japan and attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force are growing,” Kishida told a graduation ceremony at the National Defence Academy in Yokosuka near Tokyo, according to NHK.