Washington and Tokyo have accused Russia and China of being provocative in their expanding military cooperation.

This thesis is contained in a joint statement by the heads of the ministries of defense and foreign affairs of the United States and Japan.

“The ministers noted with concern the growing and provocative strategic military cooperation between Russia and China, including through joint operations and exercises in close proximity to Japan,” the document says.

The other day, talks were held in Washington in the 2 + 2 format with the participation of Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Pentagon Secretary Lloyd Austin, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada.

The ministers, in a joint statement, also condemned the Russian special operation in Ukraine, saying that Moscow's actions undermine the foundations of the world order.

Increasing Presence

Following the meeting, Lloyd Austin said that by 2025 the United States will expand its military presence in Japan "by forward-basing more versatile, mobile and sustainable means."

He explained that the United States had decided to leave the 12th Field Artillery Regiment in Japan, which would be reorganized into the 12th Coastal Marine Regiment by the specified date.

“We will equip this new entity with advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as anti-ship and vehicle capabilities relevant to the current and future threat environment,” the Pentagon chief said.

  • Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada with Pentagon Secretary Lloyd Austin

  • AP

  • © Alex Brandon

He added that these actions "will strengthen deterrence in the region and allow Japan and its citizens to be more effectively protected."

Austin also said that Washington will expand military-technical cooperation with Tokyo and sign a new agreement that will strengthen the possibility of cooperation between Japanese and American defense enterprises, as well as deepen ties between the industrial bases of the two countries.

In addition, according to him, the United States strongly supports the decision of the Japanese side to build up "counterattack capabilities" through the acquisition of missile weapons.

Recall that in November 2022, the Yomiuri newspaper reported that Tokyo was going to purchase up to 500 American Tomahawk cruise missiles by 2027.

At the same time, the publication noted that the military plans to increase the range of the Japanese Type-12 anti-ship missiles already in service.

Nuclear safety

The Americans intend to ensure the security of Japan, including with the help of their nuclear weapons.

This position was outlined by the head of the Pentagon, and then it was confirmed in a joint communiqué following the talks.

The US Secretary of Defense noted that Washington's intention extends to the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands, the status of which is disputed by China.

“I want to reiterate the unconditional commitment of the United States to the defense of Japan through a full range of means, including nuclear, and emphasize that Article 5 of the Treaty on Mutual Cooperation and Security Assurances applies to the Senkaku Islands,” Austin said.

The mentioned article of this agreement, as well as a similar paragraph of the NATO agreement, implies that each of the parties regards any military aggression against an ally as a threat to its national security and receives the right to act in accordance with its own Constitution.

  • Tomahawk rocket launch

  • © Kenneth Moll/US Navy

Meanwhile, according to analysts interviewed by RT, statements about the strengthening of the US military presence in Japan and about the readiness to use nuclear weapons to protect it were a reaction to Russian-Chinese military maneuvers.

“China took part in maritime exercises with the Russian Federation at the end of last year.

And the United States is now in response calling such activities provocative, saying that they are ready to defend the sovereignty and interests of Japan by all available means, ”explained political scientist Andrei Manoilo.

Recall that the joint exercises "Marine Interaction - 2022" were held in the waters of the East China Sea from December 21 to 27.

On the part of the Russian Navy, the Varyag Guards missile cruiser, the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate, Project 20380 corvettes Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov and Perfect, and from the PLA Navy - the destroyers Jinan and Baotou, frigates "Binzhou" and "Yancheng", an integrated supply ship and a diesel submarine.

The naval forces of the two countries, with the support of anti-submarine aviation, worked out the search for enemy submarines and fired jet depth charges.

The crews also fired artillery at surface targets, and with anti-aircraft missiles and artillery at air targets.

In total, more than ten combat exercises were performed jointly.

At the same time, experts draw attention to the fact that the military cooperation between the Russian Federation and China is not of any provocative nature.

“Such interaction between two sovereign states in no way infringes on the rights, interests and does not harm the security of third countries.

China and Russia conduct joint military exercises without violating foreign borders.

That is, the US statements are incorrect, unfounded and even provocative in advance.

In addition, the expansion of cooperation between the Russian Federation and China is not of an aggressive nature, unlike the actions of NATO, ”military observer Alexander Khrolenko emphasized in a conversation with RT.

US statements suggest that Americans are "operating with a reality that exists only in their imagination," he stressed.

Japan, in turn, is becoming increasingly dependent on Washington militarily, despite the fact that Tokyo regularly declares its intention to increase military spending and the need to increase readiness to ensure its security, the expert stated.

However, even US support will not give the Japanese side the opportunity to impose its point of view on China from a position of strength, the expert believes.

“Japan, despite its development and reputation as a high-tech state, is not a military competitor to China, even with the support of the United States.

Moreover, American military bases on Japanese territory, if necessary, can be covered with Chinese strike weapons, ”Khrolenko explained.

He also drew attention to the fact that the distance from the United States or American bases on the island of Guam was too great to effectively supply Japan with reinforcements.

“The region is militarily dominated by China.

In addition, Russia is in the neighborhood, and this neighborhood is good.

In the event of any provocations from Japan, the United States or NATO, Russia and China will be able to neutralize them, ”concluded Khrolenko.