US and Japan Joint Defense Program : Following the Launch of a Hypersonic Missile From North Korea

The alliance aims to research and develop the capabilities necessary to prevent the advance of special weapons in the Indo-Pacific region

The US and Japanese authorities held a two-way meeting this Thursday in which they agreed on a new program through which they will collaborate to address the “emerging problems related to defense”, just two days after North Korea launched a hypersonic missile into the waters of the Sea of ​​Japan – known in Korea as the East Sea.

“We are launching a new research and development agreement that will make it easier for our scientists, engineers and program managers to collaborate on emerging defense-related issues, from fighting hypersonic threats to advancing special capabilities,” announced the secretary. of State of the United States, Antony Blinken.

In addition, Blinken assured that, within the next five years, the US government will invest “more resources” to “deepen” military readiness and operational capabilities to support Japan.

For his part, the Secretary of Defense of the United States, Lloyd Austin, stressed that the alliance between both nations is “the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the region” of the Indo-Pacific and that it is based “not only on interests common, but also in shared values ​​”.

“We meet in a context of growing tensions and challenges for the free, stable, and secure Indo-Pacific region that we both seek: challenges posed by North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and by China’s aggressive and coercive behavior,” Austin stressed. .

Following these statements, the Japanese Foreign Minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi, highlighted the importance of Washington and Tokyo being united to face “fundamental and multifaceted challenges such as the change in the strategic balance , the unilateral and coercive attempt to change the ‘status quo ‘, the abusive use of unjust pressure and the expansion of an authoritarian regime ”.

Thus, Hayashi advocated the maintenance of “free and open international order”, based on common rules, through which “guarantee regional peace, stability and prosperity.” “It is more important than ever that Japan and the United States are united and exhibit leadership as both nations share interests,” he said.

Finally, the Japanese Minister of Defense, Nobuo Kishi, agreed with his Cabinet colleague and stressed the importance of launching a message of unity between the American and Asian countries , “even if only by videoconference”, to show the world “the strong solidarity ”that unites them.