US to establish warfighting command in Japan as threat from China, North Korea grows

‘A HISTORIC DECISION’: The U.S. is upgrading the command structure for its forward-deployed troops in Japan to what’s known as a “Joint Force Headquarters,” significantly expanding its “missions and operational responsibilities,” with an eye on the growing threat from China and North Korea.

“This will be the most significant change to U.S. Forces Japan since its creation and one of the strongest improvements in our military ties with Japan in 70 years,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. He made what he called a “historic decision” after a “2+2” ministerial meeting in Tokyo that included Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japan’s foreign and defense ministers.