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In The Media

The Critical 6 Months for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation We Never Saw Coming

The remainder of 2020 is shaping up to be an unexpectedly consequential year for U.S.-Japan defense cooperation, and it comes at a time of political uncertainty in both capitals.

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By James L. Schoff
Published on Aug 21, 2020
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The Asia Program in Washington studies disruptive security, governance, and technological risks that threaten peace, growth, and opportunity in the Asia-Pacific region, including a focus on China, Japan, and the Korean peninsula.

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Source: Diplomat

Policymakers in Washington, D.C. were surprised to hear Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono announce on June 15 that he was halting deployment of the $4 billion Aegis Ashore missile defense system Japan is buying from the United States. This soon became a decision to cancel the use of planned Aegis Ashore sites in Yamaguchi and Akita prefectures, and prompted a broader reconsideration of Japan’s missile defense approach and other aspects of its national security strategy. The remainder of 2020 is shaping up to be an unexpectedly consequential year for U.S.-Japan defense cooperation, and it comes at a time of political uncertainty in both capitals. This calls for focused high-level alliance attention now on Japan’s defense options to prevent strategy gaps from emerging.

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This article was originally published by the Diplomat.

About the Author

James L. Schoff

Former Senior Fellow, Asia Program

James L. Schoff was a senior fellow in the Carnegie Asia Program. His research focuses on U.S.-Japan relations and regional engagement, Japanese technology innovation, and regional trade and security dynamics.

    Recent Work

  • Paper
    A High-Tech Alliance: Challenges and Opportunities for U.S.-Japan Science and Technology Collaboration

      James L. Schoff, Douglas E. Rake, Joshua Levy

  • Commentary
    What’s the U.S. Take on Russia-Japan Relations?

      James L. Schoff

James L. Schoff
Former Senior Fellow, Asia Program
James L. Schoff
EconomyTradeSecurityForeign PolicyNorth AmericaUnited StatesEast AsiaJapan

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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