The United States and Japan concluded a three-day Extended Deterrence Dialogue (EDD) at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening their security alliance. Held from December 10 to 12, the EDD serves as a key platform for both nations to discuss strategies for sustaining and enhancing extended deterrence, which remains at the core of the Japan-U.S. Alliance.
Senior Officials Lead Strategic Discussions
The meeting was co-chaired on the Japanese side by Mr. Kumagai Naoki, Deputy Director-General of the North American Affairs Bureau, and Mr. Ueda Koji, Deputy Director-General of the Defense Policy Bureau. Representing the United States were Ms. Alexandra Bell, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability, and Mr. Richard Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Policy. The delegations included representatives from various divisions responsible for security policy and arms control, as well as personnel from Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), and U.S. Forces Japan.
Addressing Regional Security Challenges
Both sides reiterated their commitment to enhancing U.S. extended deterrence, reinforced by Japan’s evolving defense capabilities. They reviewed ongoing security challenges, including:
- Russia’s escalating nuclear rhetoric, revised nuclear doctrine, and its role in undermining arms control agreements.
- North Korea’s advancing nuclear weapons program, missile activities, and increasing cooperation with Russia.
- China’s rapid nuclear arsenal expansion, which Japan and the U.S. criticized for lacking transparency.
The discussions emphasized the need for a coordinated response to these developments, including deterrence strategies tailored to the evolving security environment.
Strengthening Alliance Coordination and Deterrence
The delegations explored measures to enhance policy alignment and defense capabilities to deter and, if necessary, respond to aggression in the region. Key topics included:
- Integrating nuclear and non-nuclear military capabilities within the Alliance.
- Coordinating deterrence messaging and escalation management strategies.
- Utilizing the Alliance Coordination Mechanism for comprehensive bilateral coordination during crises.
Both nations underscored the importance of arms control, risk reduction, and nonproliferation in promoting regional stability and reducing the risk of conflict.
Tabletop Exercise and Field Visit
A regular feature of EDD meetings, the delegations conducted a tabletop exercise to simulate crisis scenarios and evaluate potential courses of action to enhance deterrence and cooperation. They also visited JGSDF Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture to observe the “Yama Sakura 87” command post exercise and reviewed Japan’s advanced defense assets, including the Type-12 surface-to-ship guided missile and the Network Electronic Warfare System.
Building on Past Progress
The dialogue builds on commitments made during the July 2024 Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (“2+2”) meeting and the first ministerial meeting on extended deterrence. Both nations highlighted the steady progress in deepening discussions on extended deterrence and reaffirmed their resolve to enhance collaboration in the face of growing regional threats.
As the Indo-Pacific region faces increasing security challenges, the Japan-U.S. Alliance continues to stand as a cornerstone of regional peace and stability, underscored by their shared resolve to adapt and strengthen extended deterrence measures.