By Islam El-Sakka
The United States and Japan have agreed to establish a facility in Japan for the joint production of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced Wednesday.
Announcement in Cebu
Koizumi made the announcement during a news conference in Cebu province, Philippines, where he met U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of an annual meeting of Southeast Asian defense chiefs. The missiles, part of a joint effort called “Operation Supercharge,” are essential for the F-35 fighter jets used by both militaries, Koizumi said.
Strengthening deterrence
Both officials expressed alarm over the increasingly severe regional security situation, though neither named China directly. Koizumi said they agreed to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance with greater speed and intensity. Hegseth described the U.S. approach as “strong, quiet and clear,” aimed at deterring coercion while avoiding escalation.
Regional disputes
The meeting comes amid escalating confrontations in the South China Sea, where China claims nearly the entire waterway. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims. Washington has warned it is obligated to defend the Philippines if its forces come under armed attack, including in the South China Sea. Japan and China also dispute islands in the East China Sea.
