US and Japan to Build AMRAAM Missile Plant in Japan

Three Chinese destroyers and one coast guard ship crossed the Osumi Strait this week, a fleet configuration that Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said was the first of its kind observed by his ministry. The incident served as the backdrop for a major announcement made Wednesday night in Cebu, Philippines, where Koizumi confirmed that the United States and Japan will establish a new facility in Japan for the joint production of advanced missiles.

Koizumi described the crossing as an example of the challenging security environment in the region. The vessels moved from south of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's four main islands, heading east into the Pacific Ocean. His ministry stated it will continue to monitor Chinese naval activity with high interest. Japan has been accelerating its military buildup in the southwestern part of the country to deter Chinese movements.

The new production site will handle the final assembly and inspection of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, known as the AMRAAM. The joint effort, designated Operation Supercharge, aims to increase the production capacity of these missiles, which are essential components for F-35 fighter jets. Both the U.S. and Japanese militaries operate the F-35, one of the world's most advanced aircraft.

Koizumi made the announcement during a news conference following a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The two officials met on the sidelines of an annual gathering of Southeast Asian defense chiefs and their counterparts from other major Asian and Western nations. The summit is designed to strengthen defense cooperation and avert major regional conflicts.

During their brief meeting, Koizumi said he and Hegseth shared a sense of crisis regarding the increasingly severe regional situation. The two leaders agreed to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance with greater speed and intensity than in previous years. Koizumi noted that the allies reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Hegseth addressed a separate group of ASEAN defense ministers on Wednesday, led by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. He did not name China in his remarks but outlined the administration's strategy for the region. Hegseth described the approach as strong, quiet, and clear. He explained that the strategy is strong enough to deter coercion, quiet enough to avoid needless escalation, and clear enough for partners and adversaries to understand where the United States stands.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense assured the Philippines that the administration will build a robust deterrence against Chinese actions in the disputed South China Sea. The South China Sea is a busy waterway and a key global trade route. Beijing claims virtually the entire area, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have overlapping claims. Washington has stated it is obligated to defend the Philippines if its forces come under armed attack in the region.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles also spoke in Cebu about the need to defend the rule of law in the Pacific. He referenced an incident from last year in which a Chinese J-16 fighter released flares and passed within 30 meters of an Australian P-8 Poseidon surveillance jet. Marles said the incident did not deter Australia from asserting the rules-based order. Confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels have escalated in recent years in disputed shoals and outlying waters.

Japan and China also have a separate dispute over tiny Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea. Both sides frequently accuse each other of infringing on their maritime territory. The announcements in Cebu reflect a coordinated effort by the U.S. and its Asian allies to increase military readiness and production capabilities in response to these ongoing maritime tensions.