The U.S.-Japan Relationship Continues to Expand

The U.S.-Japan Relationship Continues to Expand

The U.S.-Japan alliance has developed in extraordinary ways, declared Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his recent trip there. It has moved from a bilateral relationship to a global focus, “where Japan and the United States are promoting a course for progress, for good, [and] for making a difference in the lives of our people and people around the world.”

Over the last four years, the United States and Japan have reinforced their security relationship, modernized their command and control, and worked together on defense coproduction in order to strengthen their defense industrial base.

The United States and Japan have strong economic ties, as well, said Secretary Blinken.

“We are the largest investors in each other’s economies. We work together to strengthen and build more resilient supply chains, critical minerals security, shaping the rules of things like artificial intelligence. And in each of these ways and so many more, we’re strengthening the foundation for many years to come.”

Together, the U.S. and Japan have built new networks of partners across the region and around the world: the trilateral relationship between Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States; the trilateral partnership with Japan and the Philippines; and revitalizing the Quad with India and Australia.

Secretary Blinken noted that violations of national sovereignty are increasingly of universal concern. Indeed, when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, one of the first countries to stand up for Ukraine was Japan.

“There was a recognition here and something that, because Japan saw it and recognized it and stood up, resonated around the world; a recognition here that the aggression that Russia was committing was not only against Ukraine, not only against the Ukrainian people, but against the very principles that are at the heart of the international system, principles designed to keep peace, to keep security, that are at the heart of the UN Charter, like territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence.”

“[W]e’re living in a time where there’s a greater premium than ever before in likeminded countries finding ways to work together, to coordinate, to cooperate, [and] to communicate,” said Secretary Blinken. “Japan and the United States are leading the way, and I have great confidence that will continue for many, many years to come.”