Japan Establishes Unified Military Command to Enhance Defense Coordination

Japan has launched a joint headquarters for its Self-Defense Forces (SDF), consolidating operational command of its military branches under a single authority, Bloomberg reports.

The move mirrors similar structures in the US, China, and other nations, aiming to improve coordination between air, land, sea, and other forces in preparation for potential conflicts.

The joint operations command, established Monday in Tokyo, will oversee overall military operations, according to a government spokesman.

“With the establishment of the Joint Operations Command, the SDF will be able to command its units centrally on a day-to-day basis, enabling it to maintain a flexible defense posture in response to developing events,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.

The new command center reflects Japan’s ongoing efforts to modernize and strengthen its military capabilities in response to growing regional challenges posed by countries such as China and North Korea. In addition to significantly increasing defense spending, Japan has established a new division modeled after the US Marine Corps.

Modern warfare necessitates close cooperation between various military branches to ensure mutual support and alignment toward common objectives. The US military has long embraced a doctrine of “jointness,” while China implemented a unified command structure across each branch in five regional commands in 2016.

The SDF’s new headquarters comes as Japan seeks to deepen its military alliance with the US, despite previous criticism from President Donald Trump regarding the perceived imbalance of benefits within the US-Japan security treaty.

Under the former Biden administration, the US pledged to enhance its military presence in Japan by establishing a joint force headquarters to complement the SDF’s joint operations command. However, recent media reports suggest that these plans may be reconsidered due to cost concerns.

“Japan and the US will continue to hold discussions on improving the command and control framework in order to promote interoperability in peacetime and emergency situations,” Hayashi said at a regular press conference.

Further details regarding US plans are expected during Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s upcoming visit to Japan as part of a tour of the Asia-Pacific region this week.