U.S.-Japan Extended Deterrence Guidelines, Including Communication with Japan for U.S. Nuclear Use"

The first "extended deterrence" guidelines drawn up by the U.S. and Japan included communication with Japan over U.S. nuclear use in case of emergency, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported, citing multiple government officials.

As a result, it will be possible to communicate Japan's opinion on the U.S. nuclear use using the alliance coordination mechanism and ACM framework under the U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation Guidelines revised in 2015.

Until now, there has been no stipulated provision that the Japanese government can communicate its opinion to the U.S. about the U.S. use of nuclear weapons.

The ACM consists of an "alliance coordination group" consisting of director-level officials in the foreign and defense sectors and a "joint operation coordination office" involving Self-Defense Forces and U.S. military officials, and ministerial-level consultations can be held if necessary.

In response, a Foreign Ministry official said that even under the guidelines set out this time, the final decision to use nuclear weapons was up to the United States, but it was meaningful as a message to strengthen deterrence.

The Yomiuri Shimbun explained that the U.S. should increase deterrence by strengthening its nuclear umbrella amid concerns in Japan that the U.S. will be passive in defending its allies for fear of a nuclear war.

At the same time, he evaluated that ensuring Japan's communication about the U.S. use of nuclear weapons is an important step in improving deterrence.

Earlier, Japan's Foreign Ministry announced on the 27th that the two governments have drawn up the first guidelines on "extended deterrence" in which the U.S. is involved in Japan's defense with power, including nuclear weapons.