TOKYO — The pinnacle of the U.S. Marine Corps stated Friday that his forces are dedicated to defending southwestern Japanese islands because the allies attempt to bolster their defenses amid rising threats from China and Russia.
Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder stated initially of talks with Japanese Protection Minister Nibuo Kishi that the U.S. Marine presence is targeted on the so-called first island chain within the western Pacific — the string of islands stretching from Japan’s East China Sea islands by way of the Philippines that has historically outlined a boundary of China’s sphere of affect however that Beijing now seems to be pushing eastward.
“With our forces west of the worldwide dateline, we’ll proceed to dwell, practice, and work within the first island chain primarily with the help and assist of our Japanese host,” Rudder stated. The US and Japan want to develop capabilities and techniques to make sure readiness within the area, he stated.
His feedback come on the heels of China’s and Russia’s elevated naval exercise round Japan.
The Protection Ministry stated it noticed a fleet of seven Russian warships Thursday off the southern coast of Chiba heading southwest. The ministry additionally discovered a number of Chinese language intelligence ships close to the Tsugaru Strait in northern Japan, simply days after they have been seen in waters off southern Japan.
The III Marine Expeditionary Power is working intently with Japanese troops to advance their amphibious capabilities in defending distant islands in southwestern Japan, Kishi stated.
After a decade of regular will increase in navy spending, Japan has pledged to additional bolster its navy readiness over the following 5 years and is engaged on a revision to its safety technique within the face of threats from China, North Korea and Russia.
Related Press author Mari Yamaguchi contributed to this report.
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