This strategic partnership will be a key topic of discussion at a summit scheduled for April 10 in Washington, where Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden plan to explore ways to enhance their cooperation within the defense sector.
The initiative comes amid concerns from the United States over potential shortages of artillery shells and missiles, exacerbated by ongoing support for Ukraine amidst the conflict initiated by Russia. Yomiuri further reported the likelihood of the summit addressing the potential for Japanese firms to engage in the maintenance and repair of American military equipment.
This collaboration marks a significant shift in Japan's defense policy, highlighted by its recent amendments to the principles governing the transfer of defense equipment and operational guidelines, enabling the export of missiles for Patriot systems to the United States. These adjustments aim to mitigate the missile shortages faced by the U.S. Both nations are anticipated to reaffirm their commitment to accelerating these complementary relationships during the upcoming summit. This development is part of broader discussions between the United States and Japan to deepen military cooperation and increase ammunition supplies to Ukraine.
