U.S. and Japan to Build Joint Missile Plant in Japan

Japanese and American defense leaders agreed on Wednesday to construct a manufacturing facility in Japan for the joint production of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles. The arrangement, designated as Operation Supercharge, aims to increase the supply of ammunition specifically designed for F-35 fighter jets.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced the plan during a news conference in Cebu, Philippines. He met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of an annual gathering of Southeast Asian defense chiefs. The two nations have previously expressed concern regarding China’s expanding military presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

The agreement marks the latest step in a series of military collaborations between the two allies. Koizumi stated that the final assembly and inspection plant for the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM, will be located in Japan. The F-35 is considered one of the most advanced aircraft in the world and is currently used by the Japanese military.

During their meeting, Koizumi said the two leaders shared a sense of crisis regarding the regional situation. He noted that they agreed to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the alliance with greater speed and intensity than in the past. The ministers also reaffirmed the importance of an international order based on the rule of law, rejecting unilateral changes to the status quo through force or coercion.

In a separate session on Thursday, Koizumi raised alarms about recent naval activity by China. He reported that three Chinese destroyers and a coast guard ship crossed the Osumi Strait south of Kyushu this week. His ministry identified this as the first time they had spotted such a fleet configuration. Koizumi described the incident as an example of the challenging security environment and said his ministry would continue to monitor the activity closely.

Hegseth addressed ASEAN defense ministers on Wednesday, led by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. He reiterated the U.S. commitment to deterring aggression in the region without naming China directly. He described the American approach as strong, quiet, and clear, aiming to deter coercion while avoiding public theatrics. Hegseth assured partners that the U.S. would defend its interests and those of its allies.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles also spoke in Cebu, stating that Australia and its allies would continue to defend the rule of law in the Pacific. He cited a recent incident where a Chinese fighter aircraft passed within 30 meters of an Australian surveillance jet. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, where confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels have intensified.

The U.S. and China also maintain a separate dispute over small islands in the East China Sea. Both sides have frequently accused the other of infringing on maritime territory. The annual meetings in Cebu aim to prevent major regional conflicts and strengthen defense cooperation among participants.