WASHINGTON (AP) – Top national security officials from the United States and Japan are expected to agree this week on changes to their joint defense posture as the two nations grapple with the growing threat from North Korea and increased aggression from China.
US officials say Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will meet with their Japanese counterparts on Wednesday and plan to issue a joint statement to adjust, but not increase, the US troop presence on the island of Okinawa. Also, a formal mention of space will be added to the mutual defense treaty signed by the two countries, with a nod to the Pentagon’s creation of the Space Force and Space Command.
The new agreements to be sealed in the so-called “two-two-two” meeting will come ahead of a visit to Washington by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who will meet with President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday.
“Leaders will discuss our shared vision for a modernized alliance that will meet the challenges of the 21st century in the Indo-Pacific and around the world,” said Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, on Tuesday. “China will certainly be a topic of discussion with our Japanese allies at consultative meetings this week.”
Ryder declined to provide details on the new deal.
But U.S. officials said the 12th Marine Regiment currently in Okinawa will be converted into a smaller, faster-moving unit – the 12th Marine Coastal Regiment. The new regiment is designed to be capable and equipped to take on an adversary and defend the US and its allies in the region. US officials said the decision would not increase the number of sailors on the island.
Military capability, or troop reinforcement, is a sensitive issue for Okinawa, which was the site of one of the bloodiest land battles at the end of World War II. The island hosts more than half of the US troops based in Japan, and the Okinawans want to reduce that number. Despite growing fears of a Taiwan emergency, many islands in the region are concerned that the defense buildup could increase the risks of plunging into war.
The change is part of a broader shift underway across the Marine Corps that the commandant, Gen. David Berger, aims to make the service more capable of operating and fighting in conflict zones, especially an enemy’s. This element is crucial in the Indo-Pacific, where thousands of US and allied forces are within range of China and North Korea.
One Marine shore regiment has already been established in Hawaii, a second would be in Okinawa and another is planned for later this decade, with Guam as a possible location, according to officials. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the plans, which have not been publicly announced.
Details are still being worked out, but a shore regiment consists of approximately 2,000 sailors and includes a battle group, an anti-ship missile battery, a logistics battalion and an air defense battalion. The current Marine regiment in Okinawa, which it would essentially replace, has about 3,400 Marines and sailors. The overall number of Marines in Okinawa would remain the same, officials said.
Asked about specific predictions, Ryder said the meeting would allow for discussions to modernize the alliance and maintain a stable and secure Indo-Pacific.
Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, Ryder also expressed US concern about China’s military activity in the region, including a recent incident in which a Chinese fighter jet came dangerously close to a US Air Force jet over the South China Sea.
“In terms of China’s behavior, as evidenced by recent PRC air strikes, it is troubling to see these kinds of provocative actions taking place in sensitive areas,” Ryder said. “And again, our focus from the perspective of the United States is to work with our allies and our partners in the region like Japan to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific and ensure security and stability throughout the region.”
Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.
Do Okinawans like the U.S. military?
Residents of Okinawa have spent decades protesting the continued presence of the US military in their daily lives. There are currently 31 U.S. military installations in Okinawa Island Prefecture, which make up 70 percent of all U.S. military bases in Japan.
What is the difference between Okinawa and Ryukyu? The main hair is Okinawa. With the Satsunan Archipelago, the RyÅ«kyÅ« Archipelago is part of the Nansei Archipelago, forming the length of the Okinawa Plate, between the RyÅ«kyÅ« Trough and the Okinawa Trough. This may interest you : United States (US) Ambassador swears in 12 Peace Corps Volunteers for Education, Agriculture, and Health Sectors. The southern façade of certain islands is bounded by the line of the Philippines.
Qui a gagné la bataille d’Okinawa ?
| The date | June 22, 1945 |
|---|---|
| Lieu | Okinawa, Japan |
| The topic | Victoire des Allies |
Pourquoi le Japon est entré en guerre contre les USA ?
Faced with heavy shortages of oil and other raw materials, and motivated by the desire to replace the United States as the dominant power in the Pacific, Japan then decides to attack the American and British forces in Asia and seize the resources of the region To see also : Rejoice! Japan Is Now Open for Travel, Here’s How to Get There.
Why are Americans still in Okinawa?
Japanese governments have allowed US bases in Okinawa in exchange for a US commitment to defend Japan from external attack and have protected the bases, apparently in the belief that they improve Japan’s security. This may interest you : The State Department pursues “people-to-people” diplomacy through video games. During the 1945-52 US occupation of Japan, the Americans built military bases in Okinawa.
Why are the sailors still in Okinawa? There are few places outside of the United States that hold more meaning and history for Marines. As the “tip of the spear,” Okinawan marines are here to support the US/Japan Security Treaty, providing Japan’s mutual defense and ensuring regional security.
Does the US still occupy Okinawa?
The island was under American administration until 1972, and today hosts about 26,000 US military personnel, about half of the total complement of the United States Forces in Japan, spread over 32 bases and 48 training areas.
Why are US troops still in Japan?
The U.S. military stations only 1,500 personnel on Japan’s main islands, primarily for supply and communications tasks. The defense of Japanese soil is left to its own forces, which include over 1,000 tanks and 150,000 soldiers. From Tokyo’s point of view, American forces have not really done any harm.
What Marine Infantry units are in Okinawa?
The 4th Marine Regiment is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. Located at Camp Schwab in Okinawa, Japan, III. It is part of the 3rd Marine Division of the Marine Expeditionary Force.
What USMC units are in Okinawa? Marine Corps Bases in Japan: General Information
- Camp Courtney: Marine Corps Base in Uruma, Okinawa. …
- Camp Foster: Marine Corps Base in Ginowan, Okinawa. …
- Camp Fuji: Marine Corps Base Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. …
- Camp Gonsalves: Marine Corps Base in Okinawa, Japan. …
- Camp Hansen: Marine Corps Base in Okinawa, Japan.
What Marine divisions are in Okinawa?
The 3d Marine Division has five major subordinate elements: the 3d Marine Littoral Regiment in Hawaii and the 12th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, and Headquarters Okinawa, Japan. The 3d Marine Division was officially activated in September.
Where are Marine infantry units stationed?
| Battalion name | Nickname | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines | The third thunder | Camp Pendleton, California |
| 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines | Timberwolf | Camp Lejeune, North Carolina |
| 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines | Lords of War | Camp Lejeune, North Carolina |
| 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines | Forever Bastards | Camp Lejeune, North Carolina |
What Marine unit is stationed in Japan?
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni is home to roughly half of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, headquartered in Okinawa, elements of the 3rd Marine Logistics Group, Navy Carrier Air Wing 5, Fleet Air Wing 31 of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and other units. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
