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Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to Establish Integrated Operations Command, Raising Concerns of Closer Ties with US Military
- Writing language: Korean
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Base country: Japan
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Summarized by durumis AI
- The Japanese government will establish an integrated operations command to unite the three branches of the Self-Defense Forces, aiming to have a force of 240 personnel by the end of 2024, in response to China's growing military power.
- This measure is intended to bolster Japan's capability to respond to a potential Taiwan contingency. The United States is also considering strengthening the authority of the US Forces Japan.
- However, concerns are mounting regarding Japan's capacity to develop and implement its own independent defense policies as integration with the US military accelerates. Therefore, the Japanese government is expected to focus on enhancing cooperation with the US while also strengthening its independent defense capabilities.
Japan's Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces will mark their 70th anniversary on July 1st. The Japanese government is pushing for a strengthening of its defenses in the southwest region, taking into account China's military buildup and active maritime expansion. In particular, to enhance its ability to respond to a potential Taiwan contingency, it has decided to establish an integrated operations command that will operate all three Self-Defense Force units in a unified manner.
However, concerns remain about the further acceleration of integration with the US military. The Japanese government plans to launch a 240-person integrated operations command in Tokyo's Shibuya district by the end of 2024. This is a major organizational restructuring that is rare in recent years. A general of equivalent rank to the chiefs of staff of the three branches will be appointed as commander, the Integrated Staff Chief will serve as an assistant to the Defense Minister, and the Integrated Operations Commander will focus on unit command.
These moves are driven by a strong sense of crisis regarding a potential Taiwan contingency. The United States is also considering strengthening the authority of the US Forces Japan command. The command currently stationed at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo has limited authority to manage the base. As a result, there are discussions about transferring some of the authority of the US Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii, which is responsible for commanding operational units and coordinating with the Self-Defense Forces.
The Japanese government is also rapidly strengthening its relations with various countries in Asia, Oceania, and Europe, centered on the US-Japan alliance. However, concerns are growing about Japan's independent defense policy formulation and implementation if integration with the US military accelerates. Japan is expected to strengthen its cooperation with the US through the establishment of an integrated operations command, while also working to enhance its independent defense capabilities.
