TOKYO: U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Japanese officials on Tuesday, December 10,  to emphasize the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance and Washington's commitment to ensuring regional security amid escalating threats from China and North Korea.

During his visit, Austin highlighted the significance of trilateral cooperation between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, even as South Korea faces political instability following President Yoon Suk Yeol's recent declaration and subsequent revocation of martial law.

The trip also coincided with growing concerns about the safety of Osprey military aircraft. These aircraft have been grounded in the U.S. after a near crash at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico last month, caused by metal fatigue similar to that seen in a fatal crash off southwestern Japan last year. In response, Japan grounded its fleet of 17 Ospreys. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced that their operations would remain suspended, except for disaster relief and other critical missions, to prioritize safety.

During discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, both leaders underscored the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance in navigating a rapidly changing global political landscape. Referring to political developments in South Korea and Syria, Ishiba remarked, "The world can change drastically in a week."

Austin expressed gratitude for the alliance's strength during these dynamic times, praising progress in modernizing command structures, enhancing force posture, and strengthening deterrence capabilities. He also met with Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, where they discussed regional security challenges, including China's assertive actions in the East and South China Seas and North Korea's alignment with Russia.

Austin reiterated the U.S.'s unwavering commitment to Japan and South Korea through "extended deterrence," including its nuclear umbrella, calling it "iron clad." Nakatani emphasized the importance of collaboration among Japan, the U.S., South Korea, and other partners to address escalating tensions in the region.

The trilateral alliance has seen significant growth under President Joe Biden's administration but now faces uncertainty due to South Korea’s internal political turmoil, which led to the cancellation of Austin's scheduled visit to Seoul.

Earlier in the day, Austin visited the USS George Washington, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier docked at the Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo. Addressing the crew, Austin reiterated the importance of maintaining regional cooperation to counter China's efforts to challenge the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific. He stressed, "We want to see this region remain open to freedom of navigation and the ability to fly the skies in international airways. We will work with allies and partners to ensure we can do just that."

The USS George Washington, currently under maintenance, will eventually host a squadron of advanced F-35C stealth combat aircraft based in Iwakuni, Japan.

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