Latest news with #USForcesJapan
Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Allies need to discuss Seoul's defense costs beyond current deal: Joseph Yun
Yun expects Lee-Trump summit 'within a short time' South Korea and the United States need to discuss whether Seoul is paying enough, including costs not currently covered under their existing defense cost-sharing deal, the acting US ambassador to South Korea said Tuesday. Joseph Yun, charge d'affaires ad interim at the US Embassy in Seoul, said the allies should revisit South Korea's financial contributions beyond the scope of the current Special Measures Agreement. South Korea has financially supported the stationing of around 28,500 US Forces Korea personnel by covering three major parts: labor expenses for USFK Korean workers, construction costs for military facilities and logistical support for military operations under the framework of the SMA. Seoul and Washington finalized the 12th SMA from 2026 to 2030 in October last year. 'But the SMA only covers a limited portion of the costs. If you look at the SMA in the document, there are just three categories. But there are other costs beyond those, and the question is how to share those additional expenses,' Yun told reporters in Korean during a press conference in Seoul. 'We also need to discuss whether South Korea's overall defense spending is enough. That's another issue that should be part of the discussion." Yun defended US calls for allies to meet the global standard of spending 5 percent of their gross domestic product on defense, citing the US' own unsustainable budget deficit as context. 'We need fairer sharing, and I think that was one of the key reasons why (US President) Donald Trump was elected — and that is the reality,' Yun said in English. Washington urges quick fix to tariff issue Yun explained Seoul and Washington need broader discussion on how to 'modernize the alliance,' which he described as one of two key challenges in South Korea-US relations. Yun emphasized the need for the allies to jointly address new strategic challenges and emerging regional issues, particularly those stemming from competition between the US and China, including how US assets, defense capabilities, and regional forces such as US Forces Korea and US Forces Japan are postured. Another key challenge for the alliance is trade, with Yun calling on the Lee Jae Myung administration to 'quickly deal with US expectations.' 'From the US side, the most urgent issue is to move quickly on tariff negotiations,' Yun said. 'In terms of trade, tariffs are by far the most serious concern, and the US hopes to normalize and resolve the issue swiftly, as that would help stabilize other areas as well.' When asked about a 'one-stop shopping' deal, which would clinch a deal on tariffs, investment and defense all at once, Yun also suggested that the US preferred a phased approach. Trump mentioned a 'one-stop shopping' deal on Truth Social following his phone call with then-acting President Han Duck-soo in April. 'There is no question: while they may be related in terms of narrow substance, they are different, and they are not readily mixed and matched. So my hope — and our hope — is that there can be a framework agreement that includes many of those parts,' Yun said in English, transitioning from Korean. 'We're not going to reach detailed deals in every one of them. So what is important is the framework agreement that includes all of those elements. But of course, for each stream, it may take a while to finally get all the details.' With regard to the first summit between Lee and Trump, Yun said the allies are doing their best to schedule the meeting, though the timing remains uncertain due to both leaders' unclear schedules. 'On the summit, we're working on it, and I would expect we will announce it. But again, it just needs to fit the schedule of both President Lee and President Trump,' Yun said. 'I have no doubt that, within a short time, there will be a summit meeting between President Trump and President Lee.' Denuclearization nonstarter for Pyongyang On the potential resumption of US-North Korea dialogue, Yun said he has no doubt that Trump considers his engagement with North Korea as 'unfinished business and homework.' 'It takes two to tango, and we haven't really heard from the North Korean side whether they, too, want to engage,' he added. When asked if the US should maintain the goal of North Korea's denuclearization, should dialogue kickstart, Yun said the goal would be a non-starter for North Korea. 'That is not a smart way to engage or begin discussions. You must engage smartly, with a path, so that eventually your big goal can be accomplished,' Yun said. 'And certainly, denuclearization is a big goal — but it cannot be put out as a condition for an initial meeting.' Yun, however, clarified that 'the US is not going to recognize North Korea as a legitimate nuclear weapons state.' 'There's no question about that. But is it a country that possesses nuclear weapons? Yes,' Yun went on to say. 'It is a nuclear weapons-possessing state, but we cannot recognize it as a legitimate nuclear weapons state.'
AllAfrica
25-05-2025
- Business
- AllAfrica
Japan flexes military muscle at biggest-ever defense expo
This year's Japan's Defense Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition and conference, held from May 21-23 at Makuhari Messe near Tokyo, was the largest ever, attracting 471 companies, 169 from Japan and 302 from the US, the UK and 30 other countries. Reflecting the rapid advance of Japan's arms industry and the country's growing contribution to regional security and international military cooperation, this year's event was about 60% larger than last year's and about twice the size of the one held in 2023. A year ago, US Forces Japan Strategic Relations Officer Tim Haffner noted that 'DSEI brought industry, policy, and strategic leaders together in a collaborative forum to discuss regional security issues for the first time in Japan. This was a pivotal event, signaling Japan as a leader in defense technology and security partnership.' This year's turnout demonstrates that it most certainly was. Billed as 'the only large-scale, fully integrated defense event in the country,' the exhibition featured a very wide range of defense products, from ammunition and armored vehicles to communications and target identification systems, field medical supplies, and small, medium and heavy caliber weapons. Models of Japan's Mogami warship, underwater drones, railgun and Type-12 missiles attracted a lot of attention, as did the GCAP (Global Combat Air Program) next-generation fighter jet being developed by Japan, the UK and Italy. For Japan's Ministry of Defence and defense industry, it was an unprecedented marketing opportunity. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited and spoke at the exhibition, the first sitting Japanese prime minister to do so. 'We are currently facing the most severe and complex security environment since the end of the Second World War,' he said. 'Today's Ukraine could be East Asia tomorrow.' Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani, who delivered a keynote address at the conference, said that he hoped the event would 'provide a new opportunity for cooperation and exchange between national delegations and companies, help sustain defense industry development, drive innovation and promote peace and stability.' Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) executive Katsuyuki Nabeta told the press that, 'With today's increasingly uncertain security environment, I believe we must respond not just domestically, but with a broader international perspective. We are pleased to have the opportunity to showcase our technologies and reach a wider audience.' MHI is the prime contractor for Mogami-class frigates and the leading Japanese company in the GCAP project. BAE Systems and Leonardo are its British and Italian counterparts. The conference, which also ran for three days, also included presentations by senior defense officials, ambassadors and defense industry executives from Japan, the US, the UK, Italy, Germany, Australia and Singapore. They addressed the issues of maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific, keeping pace with emerging threats, developing new technologies, strengthening the defense industrial base and enhancing defense industry cooperation, cybersecurity, the use of AI to improve decision-making on the battlefield and expanding surveillance capabilities in space. One section of the conference was dedicated to the progress of the GCAP and related supply chain opportunities. Senior executives from the GCAP Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency and International Government Organization, Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co (the umbrella organization for Japanese participation in the project), BAE Systems and Leonardo spoke on this topic, demonstrating its importance. In an article entitled 'Doubts about Trump hang in background of weapons show,' Japan's Asahi Shimbun reported that an unnamed Japanese Defense Ministry source had said that 'Trump's unpredictability has created unease about relying on US-made weapons and security arrangements,' and that 'European countries in particular are beginning to seek security that does not depend on the United States, and they are likely to move away from the US in arms trading.' Speaking at the event, the German ambassador to Japan, Petra Sigmund, said that, 'Germany is increasingly looking to Japan as an arms provider, whom we can trust as a co-developer with similar strengths and similar needs. Also, as a potential procurement partner, in order to be able to scale up production to cut time and to reduce cost.' Sigmund added that Germany is particularly eager to collaborate in the development of 'unmanned systems, drones, stand-off weapons, missiles, air defense, cyberspace, as well as maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.' He also noted that, 'Since 2021, Germany has gradually increased its security engagement here in the [Indo-Pacific] region. We have sent naval vessels, participated in multinational naval and air force exercises both in Japan, Australia and in India.' Professor Mohd Faiz Abdullah, chairman of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies of Malaysia, provided a different perspective. The great powers, he said, are conducting 'minilaterals,'which they claim are for 'global governance, but it's about containment really,' and 'not conducive to peace and stability.' The world, Abdullah concluded, is entering a period of 'unfettered competition…where a lot of parties are going for the killing zone.' But Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes, Deputy Commander of UK Strategic Command, stated that, 'We must move beyond transactional relationships between defense and industry… We need to redraw the boundaries of national security… We now live in what we could describe as a state of persistent competition, punctuated by episodic crises, and under the constant shadow of potential major conflict… we must innovate together, or we will lose together.' Meanwhile, on May 21, a symposium on the topic of Japan's defense industry was held at the Global Front conference facility at Meiji University in Tokyo. Led by military historian Professor Atsushi Koketsu, the symposium featured an address by Professor Christopher Hughes of the University of Warwick, UK, on the topic 'Japan's Defence Industrial Strategy and Fighter Aircraft Production: Striving for Tier-One Status.' Starting with the observation that Japan has previously been seen as an exemplary model of a non-great power able to indigenize defence technology, Hughes stated that it clearly maintains this ambition. Despite anti-militaristic constraints, including Article 9 of its Constitution, which renounces 'war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes,' post-WWII limits on weapons production and arms export bans, Japan has consistently maintained the following rationales for defense production: Deterrence capabilities and specific defense needs Bargaining power in its alliance with the US and internationally Self-sufficiency and ability to respond to national emergencies Industrial policy through dual-use technology Hughes emphasized that Japanese policymakers use 'techno-nationalism' to avoid second-tier status. At the same time, Japan limited its defense budget by embedding the defense sector into its civilian sector. This allowed it to avoid the creation of a military-industrial complex, but also led to fragmentation, inefficiency and low profitability, while export restrictions cut off access to international cooperation and markets. Serious attempts to rectify these defects began with the adoption of 'Three Principles on Defense Equipment Transfers' under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2014. These allowed arms transfers if they contributed to 'the active promotion of peace, international cooperation, or Japan's security,' provided they were not destined for countries involved in conflict, with onward shipment to third parties subject to Japanese government control. The next big step in Japan's military reform came in December 2022, when the cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida approved a new National Security Strategy. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement noted that 'the very foundation of the international order is being shaken and the world stands at a historic crossroads… [with Japan] finding itself in the midst of the most severe and complex security environment since the end of WWII…' The new National Security Strategy was accompanied by two other documents, the National Defense Strategy and the Defense Buildup Program. The latter includes building up the capabilities of Japan's Self-Defense Forces in the areas of stand-off defense, integrated air and missile defense, unmanned defense and cross-domain capabilities, including ground, maritime, air, space, cyber and electromagnetic operations. The Japanese government also committed itself to raising the defense budget from 1% to 2% of GDP by 2027, increased weapons systems procurement as a percentage of the budget, raised profit margins on defense contracts to stop private companies from abandoning the sector and stepped up defense cooperation with Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia. Freed from previous limits, Japanese defense contractors began to actively pursue export contracts, some small – e.g., patrol boats for the Philippines and Vietnam – and some large. An attempt to sell Soryu-class submarines to Australia fell through. Attempts to sell Mogami-class frigates to Australia and Indonesia are underway. Hughes also put considerable emphasis on GCAP, noting that it is an equal partnership with full technology sharing and 'freedom to modify.' While others have expressed doubts, he believes that the British government is committed to the project, a view that received support at the Japan-Italy-UK leaders meeting last November. Hughes has been pursuing the subject for a long time. More than 20 years ago, he published 'Japan's Re-emergence as a 'Normal' Military Power?' while his latest book is entitled 'Japan as a Global Military Power: New Capabilities, Alliance Integration, Bilateralism-Plus.' Follow this writer on X: @ScottFo83517667
NHK
14-05-2025
- General
- NHK
Flammable devices dropped from US Marine helicopter in Okinawa
A bag containing flammable devices fell from a US Marine helicopter flying over Okinawa Prefecture in southern Japan on Tuesday. No injuries or damage have been reported so far. The Okinawa Defense Bureau said it was told by the US Forces Japan that the incident occurred in the Motobu Peninsula in the northern part of the prefecture at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday. The bag, weighing about 18 kilograms, fell from the helicopter deployed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, also in the prefecture. The bureau said as of midnight Wednesday, no injuries or damage had been reported. It added that the bag itself has yet to be recovered. It said the bag is about 90 centimeters long, 30 centimeters wide and contained signal flares, a type of pyrotechnics. The bureau is calling on anyone who finds the bag to report it immediately, warning that it should not be touched as the devices inside could catch fire.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US sets up ‘war-fighting HQ' in Japan for possible China conflict
The US will set up a 'war-fighting headquarters' in Japan to prepare for a possible conflict with China. Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, said on Sunday that US troops in Japan would be reorganised to 'keep the enemy guessing' and create 'strategic dilemmas' for China. He said the upgrade, first announced by the Biden administration, would help US Forces Japan co-ordinate better with local troops, amid fears China might invade Taiwan. 'Peace through strength with America in the lead is back,' Mr Hegseth said at a joint press conference with Gen Nakatani, his Japanese counterpart, in Tokyo on Sunday. 'Japan is our indispensable partner in deterring Communist Chinese military aggression,' he said as he opened the event. Mr Hegseth continued: 'Soon, we will add additional personnel in Tokyo and at US Forces Japan headquarters to conduct activities that will strengthen our bilateral bonds and deepen our operational co-operation.' 'This also means reorganising US Forces Japan into a war-fighting headquarters, increasing its staff and giving its commander the authorities needed to accomplish new missions.' He added: 'As I mentioned in our meeting, America and Japan, we seek peace. But as my first platoon motto says: 'Those who long for peace must prepare for war.'' Japan has been concerned about how US engagement in the region might change under Donald Trump's 'America First' policy, Japanese defence officials said. Mr Trump has threatened to impose trade tariffs on Japan, a key US ally, contributing to concern in Tokyo. The two allies agreed to accelerate plans to jointly develop and produce missiles – such as advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles – and to consider producing SM-6 surface-to-air missiles to help ease a shortage of munitions, Mr Nakatani said. The ministers also agreed to speed up the maintenance of US warships and warplanes in Japan to strengthen and complement Japanese and US defence industries. Japan is home to more than 50,000 US troops. Tokyo and Washington first decided to upgrade their command and control, and that of the Japanese military who work alongside them, last July. Last week, Tokyo launched Japan Joint Operations Command to co-ordinate Japanese ground, maritime and air self-defence forces, in a significant move to strengthen capabilities, respond to contingencies and better co-operate with the US. Mr Hegseth and Mr Nakatani also said they agreed on the need to improve Japan's defence posture in its south-western islands, which are in critical locations along disputed areas in the East China Sea and near Taiwan, to further step up deterrence against China. The US defence secretary stressed the need to have 'sustaining, robust, ready and credible deterrence' in the Indo-Pacific, including across the Taiwan Strait, as 'Japan would be on the front lines of any contingency we might face in the western Pacific'. China claims Taiwan as its own territory. The US is obligated under a 1979 law to provide Taiwan with sufficient military hardware and technology to deter invasion, and its arm sales to Taiwan have always drawn strong opposition from Beijing. On Saturday, Mr Hegseth joined the US-Japan joint memorial to honour the war dead of the Battle of Iwo Jima as they marked the 80th anniversary of the end of one of the fiercest clashes of the Second World War. Before landing in Japan, Mr Hegseth stopped in the Philippines, where he reiterated Mr Trump's commitment to step up ties with the country, which faces maritime disputes with China. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
31-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
US sets up ‘war-fighting HQ' in Japan for possible China conflict
The US will set up a 'war-fighting headquarters' in Japan to prepare for a possible conflict with China. Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, said on Sunday that US troops in Japan would be reorganised to 'keep the enemy guessing' and create 'strategic dilemmas' for China. He said the upgrade, first announced by the Biden administration, would help US Forces Japan co-ordinate better with local troops, amid fears China might invade Taiwan. 'Peace through strength with America in the lead is back,' Mr Hegseth said at a joint press conference with Gen Nakatani, his Japanese counterpart, in Tokyo on Sunday. 'Japan is our indispensable partner in deterring Communist Chinese military aggression,' he said as he opened the event. Mr Hegseth continued: 'Soon, we will add additional personnel in Tokyo and at US Forces Japan headquarters to conduct activities that will strengthen our bilateral bonds and deepen our operational co-operation.' 'This also means reorganising US Forces Japan into a war-fighting headquarters, increasing its staff and giving its commander the authorities needed to accomplish new missions.' He added: 'As I mentioned in our meeting, America and Japan, we seek peace. But as my first platoon motto says: 'Those who long for peace must prepare for war.'' Japan has been concerned about how US engagement in the region might change under Donald Trump's 'America First' policy, Japanese defence officials said. Mr Trump has threatened to impose trade tariffs on Japan, a key US ally, contributing to concern in Tokyo. The two allies agreed to accelerate plans to jointly develop and produce missiles – such as advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles – and to consider producing SM-6 surface-to-air missiles to help ease a shortage of munitions, Mr Nakatani said. The ministers also agreed to speed up the maintenance of US warships and warplanes in Japan to strengthen and complement Japanese and US defence industries. Japan is home to more than 50,000 US troops. Tokyo and Washington first decided to upgrade their command and control, and that of the Japanese military who work alongside them, last July. Last week, Tokyo launched Japan Joint Operations Command to co-ordinate Japanese ground, maritime and air self-defence forces, in a significant move to strengthen capabilities, respond to contingencies and better co-operate with the US. Mr Hegseth and Mr Nakatani also said they agreed on the need to improve Japan's defence posture in its south-western islands, which are in critical locations along disputed areas in the East China Sea and near Taiwan, to further step up deterrence against China. The US defence secretary stressed the need to have 'sustaining, robust, ready and credible deterrence' in the Indo-Pacific, including across the Taiwan Strait, as 'Japan would be on the front lines of any contingency we might face in the western Pacific '. China claims Taiwan as its own territory. The US is obligated under a 1979 law to provide Taiwan with sufficient military hardware and technology to deter invasion, and its arm sales to Taiwan have always drawn strong opposition from Beijing. On Saturday, Mr Hegseth joined the US-Japan joint memorial to honour the war dead of the Battle of Iwo Jima as they marked the 80th anniversary of the end of one of the fiercest clashes of the Second World War. Before landing in Japan, Mr Hegseth stopped in the Philippines, where he reiterated Mr Trump's commitment to step up ties with the country, which faces maritime disputes with China.
