Gen. Mark Milley (left) the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right)

Tokyo - The top US military officer, General Mark Milley, expressed support for Japan's commitment to doubling its defense spending over the next five years.

He emphasized the importance of Japan's efforts to strengthen its military capabilities in order to address the increasing threats from North Korea and China. General Milley highlighted the need for improvements in cruise missile defense, early warning missile systems, and air capabilities, which would aid the United States in countering North Korea's nuclear missile program and China's aggression towards Taiwan.

According to General Milley, China has made significant military investments and aims to become the dominant power in Asia within the next decade or so. He stressed that a powerful and militarily capable Japan, closely allied with the United States and other countries, would act as a deterrent against potential conflicts and contribute to regional stability.

General Milley's comments shed light on the precarious security situation in northeast Asia, with growing concerns about the possibility of war due to increased military activities by North Korea and China. The United States expects its allies, particularly Japan and South Korea, to enhance their defense efforts.

Japan has faced challenges in balancing the need for a strong military due to domestic and regional sensitivities stemming from its historical actions. Acknowledging Japan's past, General Milley emphasized the importance of a powerful Japanese military capable of rapid expansion and skill development.

The budget for Japan's upcoming fiscal year includes a record-breaking defense spending of 6.8 trillion yen ($50 billion), marking a 20% increase from the previous year. This is part of a five-year, 43-trillion-yen ($315 billion) military spending plan outlined in Japan's National Security Strategy. The aim is to eventually push Japan's annual defense budget to around 10 trillion yen ($73 billion), making it the world's third-largest after the United States and China.

General Milley also stressed the need to expedite US military assistance to Taiwan, emphasizing the island's requirement for improved air defense, mines, and air-to-air and shore-to-ship capabilities. He highlighted that the assistance should enable Taiwan to defend itself and serve as a deterrent against any potential aggression from China.