The United States hosted Japan for the Expanded Deterrence Dialogue (EDD) at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on June 13-14, 2024. The United States and Japan established the EDD in 2010 as a permanent venue to discuss ways to maintain and strengthen extended deterrence, which is the core of the Japan-U.S. alliance. The U.S. side was co-chaired by Ms. Alexandra Bell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability at the Department of State, and Mr. Richard Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy on Countering Nuclear and Weapons of Mass Destruction at the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Department of Defense. The Japanese side was co-chaired by Mr. Miyamoto Shingo, Deputy Director General of the Bureau of North American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Endo Atsushi, Deputy Director General of the Bureau of Defense Policy at the Ministry of Defense. The delegations included participants from the divisions in charge of security policy and arms control on both sides, as well as from the JSDF, USSTRATCOM, USINDOPACOM, and US Forces Japan.
This iteration of the EDD follows the Japan-US Summit on April 10, at which President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida reaffirmed the vital importance of enhancing the US extended deterrence, inspired by Japan’s defense capabilities, and further strengthening bilateral cooperation. The delegations held in-depth discussions to carry forward the dialogue from the previous EDD meeting held in Japan in December 2023, exchanged views on efforts that could further enhance the dialogue, and consulted on measures to advance these objectives.
The two sides shared assessments of challenges to the regional security environment, particularly with regard to the D.P.R.K.’s continued development of its nuclear and ballistic missile program and its growing military cooperation with Russia, as well as the P.R.C.’s accelerating build-up of its nuclear arsenal without transparency. The two sides called for a review of the Alliance’s conventional and U.S. nuclear capabilities contributing to regional deterrence, and to advance efforts to optimize the Alliance’s force posture and activities to enhance deterrence effectiveness. The United States and Japan reaffirmed the need to address the P.R.C.’s expansion of its nuclear arsenal, which is undermining regional and global peace and security. The two sides expressed disappointment at the P.R.C.’s decision to suspend consultations with the United States on ways to reduce strategic risks.
The United States reiterated its commitment to enhance the regional deterrent effect of US nuclear assets. The two sides explored ways to deepen the Alliance’s political, diplomatic and defense cooperation and enhance the two countries’ joint deterrent capabilities in an integrated manner to make the Alliance more prepared to defend against potential attacks and deter nuclear use. The two sides reiterated their pledge to improve coordination since the previous EDD and strengthen the Alliance’s capabilities and posture against adversary missile threats.
In addition, the two sides also held a tabletop exercise, which is regularly included in the EDD meeting agenda, to enhance mutual understanding on possible actions to enhance prevention and cooperation in a specific crisis scenario.
During the visit to F.E. Warren AFB, the delegations were briefed on an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) wing mission before visiting a missile procedure trainer, where U.S. Air Force missile combat crews train on ICBM launch procedures, and a training launch facility, where ICBM maintenance professionals train on the maintenance of the Minuteman III ICBM weapon system.
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