Japan and the United States intend to strengthen security partnerships with Great Britain, Australia and by the Philippines to counter China's assertive military stance. This is reported by Kyodo. citing sources.
As part of closer ties, the five countries will increase the number of joint military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region and promote cooperation in the field of defense technology.
The new partnership is expected to be agreed at a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US President Joe Biden during a summit in Washington on April 10. This will be reflected in a joint statement to be released after the summit.
Japan hopes to strengthen security ties with the other three US allies to counter China's increased military activity in the Indo-Pacific region.
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However, attempts to quickly strengthen the military alliance could provoke Beijing, causing regional divisions and instability.
Britain has increased its presence in the Indo-Pacific region in recent years, and plans to deploy an aircraft carrier strike group there in 2025. Japan, the US and the UK are also expected to discuss conducting joint exercises near the Sea of Japan.
As for Australia, during the bilateral meeting, Japan and the US plan to discuss plans to improve interoperability and the seamless transfer of defense technology.
In addition, during the summit, Kishida and Biden may discuss Japan's cooperation with the AUKUS Alliance.
In Washington, Kishida, Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will hold a trilateral summit to further develop cooperation in the field of maritime security. They are also expected to discuss expanding joint exercises and Japan's defense assistance to the Philippines.
The US and Japan are also expanding cooperation with South Korea. In the strengthening of security cooperation between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo, Beijing sees the seeds of a formation directed against China.