Japan signed a deal with the United States on Thursday to purchase up to 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles as part of its ongoing military buildup in response to increased regional threats. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government has pledged to double its annual defense spending to around 10 trillion yen ($68 billion) by 2027, which would make Japan the world’s third-biggest military spender after the United States and China.
Quick Read
- U.S.-Japan Missile Deal: Japan has signed an agreement with the United States to purchase up to 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
- Japan’s Defense Budget Increase: The Japanese government, led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, plans to double its defense spending to approximately 10 trillion yen ($68 billion) by 2027, positioning Japan as the world’s third-largest military spender after the U.S. and China.
- Accelerated Deployment: Japan’s Defense Minister Minoru Kihara announced the expedited deployment of Tomahawk missiles and Japan-made Type 12 missiles, starting from the fiscal year 2025.
- Security Concerns: The decision stems from increasing security threats from China and North Korea, prompting Japan to enhance military cooperation with the U.S. and other allies.
- Tomahawk Missile Details: In November, the U.S. approved a $2.35 billion sale of two types of Tomahawks to Japan, including 200 Block IV and 200 Block V missiles, capable of hitting targets up to 1,600 kilometers away.
- Agreement Signing: The missile purchase agreement was signed by Defense Minister Kihara and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, emphasizing the response to the severe security environment.
- Training and Cooperation: Training for Japanese servicemembers on the Tomahawks will start in March 2024, reflecting deeper military cooperation between Japan and the U.S.
- Policy Shifts: Japan has recently relaxed its ban on lethal weapon exports and approved the shipment of Patriot missiles to the U.S., signaling a shift in its defense policy.
- Japan’s Evolving Defense Strategy: The country is focusing on deploying long-range missiles and working more closely with the U.S. and allies, assuming a more assertive military stance in the region.
- Emanuel’s Remarks: U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel commended Japan’s swift military buildup and alliance strengthening with the U.S., emphasizing the goal of ensuring deterrence and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Associated Press has the story:
Japan signs deal to purchase 400 Tomahawk missiles as US envoy lauds its defense buildup
Newslooks- TOKYO (AP) —
Japan signed a deal with the United States on Thursday to purchase up to 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles as part of its ongoing military buildup in response to increased regional threats.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government has pledged to double its annual defense spending to around 10 trillion yen ($68 billion) by 2027, which would make Japan the world’s third-biggest military spender after the United States and China.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara announced in December a decision to accelerate deployment of some Tomahawks and Japanese-made Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles beginning in fiscal year 2025, a year before the original plan. The government says Japan is facing its “severest” security environment since World War II because of threats from China and North Korea, causing it to increase military cooperation with the U.S., Australia, Britain and other friendly nations.
In November, the U.S. approved a $2.35 billion sale of two types of Tomahawks — 200 Block IV missiles and 200 upgraded Block V versions. They can be launched from warships and hit targets 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) away, officials said.
The signing of the purchase agreement on Thursday was attended by Kihara and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel.
Japan and the United States agreed to expedite the deployment “in response to the increasingly severe security environment,” Kihara said.
Emanuel said training of Japanese servicemembers for the Tomahawks will start in March.
Late last year, Japan’s Cabinet eased a ban on exports of lethal weapons, allowing the sale of Japanese-made weapons and components made under license from other nations to those countries. The government quickly approved a shipment of Japanese-made Patriot missiles to the United States to complement the U.S. inventory.
Japan is accelerating its deployment of long-range cruise missiles capable of hitting targets in China or North Korea, while Japanese troops increasingly work side-by-side with the U.S. and other friendly nations and take on more offensive roles.
At a news conference earlier Thursday marking the end of his second year in Tokyo, Emanuel lauded Japan’s rapid move during that time to build up its military and strengthen its alliance with the U.S. to meet challenges in the region.
Under a new defense strategy adopted in December 2022, Japan has joined the United States, Australia, South Korea and many other regional partners “in an aligned vision of how to promote peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and meet the challenges head on,” Emanuel said.
The U.S. approach to its partnership with Japan is “one of ensuring deterrence” and making sure there is no change in the region by military force, Emanuel said.
“There is a new Japan emerging, a more competent Japan,” he said.
