Washington, DC (US)

Strengthening the United States military presence and strategic positioning in Japan is a "top priority" for the US Department of Defence, as the US moves to reinforce deterrence in the Indo-Pacific in response to China's growing influence, reported Kyodo News.

John Noh, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, told a House Armed Services Committee hearing that while the US is committed to the region, it cannot act in isolation. Noh emphasised that "the U.S. military cannot and should not alone sustain a favourable balance of power, which is fundamentally in our regional allies and partners' interests."

The Pentagon official noted that Washington is increasingly looking towards its regional network to take a more active role in security arrangements. Kyodo News reported his remarks, stating, "The department has called upon our allies and partners to expand their contributions to our collective defence and to share the burden of restoring and sustaining deterrence in the Indo-Pacific."

Noh further specified that the US anticipates its "wealthy and capable" allies and partners will raise their military spending. He suggested that defence expenditures should move towards a "global standard of 3.5 per cent" of their gross domestic product, urging these nations to take greater responsibility for their own national security.

In a formal statement to the committee, the official outlined the Pentagon's strategy to establish a "strong denial defence" along the "first island chain". This strategic area, situated east of the Chinese coast, encompasses Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

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Addressing leadership changes in Tokyo, Noh expressed that the US remains "optimistic" regarding Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pledge to enhance Japan's military strength.

However, according to Kyodo News, the Assistant Secretary cautioned that despite these positive steps, "there is still more work to do" to achieve the desired level of regional security.