US and Japan have approached defense amid hypersonic threat | Military news

The two countries are looking to deepen long-standing defense ties amid uncertain forecasts in the region.

The United States and Japan will sign a new defense cooperation agreement to address emerging threats, including hypersonic and space-based weapons, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday.

Foreign and Defense Ministers from both countries almost met to discuss increasing security relations, focusing on Japan’s international mission, when it tested what North Korea had said a week ago. hypersonic missile.

Blinken said the US-Japan alliance “needs to strengthen its tools, develop new ones”, citing Russia’s military force against Ukraine, “provocative” actions on Beijing in Taiwan and the launch of North Korean missiles.

Russia, China and the United States are also racing to build hypersonic weapons, the extreme speed and maneuverability of which are difficult to detect and block with missiles.

“We are launching a new research and development agreement that will help our scientists, engineers, and program managers work together to address emerging issues, from hypersonic threats to advancing space-based capabilities,” Blinken said at the inauguration. of the meeting.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told his members that the international community faces challenges such as “unilateral corrosive attempts to change the status quo, the abuse of the use of unfair pressure and the spread of authoritarian regimes.”

A meeting between US and Japanese officials marks a day after Japan signed a security agreement with Australia.

The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) – the only one signed by Japan with a foreign power – was agreed at a virtual meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday.

Morrison to RAA “A key moment for Australia and Japan”Will be an“ important part ”of the response of both countries to the“ uncertainty we now face ”.

Japan set a record high in defense spending last month, following its tenth year-on-year rise in 2022.

While neighbors are testing hypersonic missiles, Japan has been working on “railgun” electromagnetic technology to target these missiles.

Japan and the United States expect to sign a new five-year agreement on U.S. military bases, Blinken said, adding that Japan has agreed to contribute $ 9.3 billion to keep U.S. forces in Japan during that period.