The US military announced on Wednesday that it will deploy dozens of its latest fighter jets to Japan as part of a $10 billion initiative to upgrade its forces in the region.
Modernization Efforts:
The Pentagon stated that this modernization plan will be executed over the next several years, aiming to enhance the US-Japan Alliance, bolster regional deterrence, and promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Official Statements:
“The Department’s plan to station the Joint Force’s most advanced tactical aircraft in Japan demonstrates the ironclad U.S. commitment to the defense of Japan and both countries’ shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” the Pentagon stated.
Japan’s Response:
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan’s top government spokesman, emphasized the importance of this move, saying, “In the face of the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II, and amidst the increased military activities of neighboring countries, the United States is maintaining and strengthening the presence of U.S. forces in Japan to further enhance the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance.”