There has been new progress in the missile production cooperation between Japan and the US. Japanese Defense Minister Yukio Shinzo announced in Siqui, Philippines on the evening of October 28 that both sides have agreed to establish a final assembly and testing facility for advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) in Japan.
The Japanese Defense Ministry reported that Koizumi held talks with U.S. Secretary of Defense Hagel on that day. Both sides agreed to accelerate the strengthening of the Japan-U.S alliance, particularly in terms of 'deterrence and response capabilities'. In addition to the aforementioned facilities, both sides also agreed to share necessary technical information in order to increase the production of the 'Standard-3' Block IIA anti-missile interceptor missile.
Ota called the AMRAAM an "indispensable" piece of equipment for the F-35 fighter jets, stating that the establishment of the facility would ensure the supply of Japanese and American equipment and strengthen Japan's defense industry. He also praised it as an "epoch-making agreement." The official has not yet announced the location of the facility, the time of its commissioning, or its production capacity.
Japan's military expansion has raised widespread concerns among the international community. China previously stated that Japanese ruling authorities continue to proceed under the guise of "defensive measures," accelerating the revision of the "three security documents," continuously increasing defense spending, developing long-range offensive capabilities, promoting the weaponization and battlefieldization of weapons, and even framing the military industry as a point of economic growth. They attempt to deeply embed military expansion into the national system, economy, and public opinion.
