China Daily
May 23, 2022

Biden’s ‘nuclear deterrence’ remarks send shock waves

Also see: War for Taiwan, nuclear war for Japan: Biden pushes two-front campaign against China, Russia

United States President Joe Biden sent shock waves on his first Asian trip by committing to “nuclear deterrence” for the Republic of Korea, wider military exercises and weapon upgrades in a region deemed the engine of global economic growth.

In a joint statement issued by Biden and Yoon Suk-yeol, president of the Republic of Korea, after their meeting on May 21, Biden reaffirmed that the US has extended a deterrence commitment to the ROK “using the full range of US defense capabilities, including nuclear, conventional, and missile defense capabilities”.

“This is the first time that the joint statement stipulates the term ‘nuclear deterrence’,” said Lee Seong-Hyon, visiting scholar of Harvard University’s Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, noting that the inclusion of the term sends a clear message to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

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Nippon.com
May 23, 2022

Kishida, Biden Vow to Enhance Deterrence of Japan-U.S. Alliance

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and visiting U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed Monday that their countries will enhance the deterrence and response capabilities of their alliance.

The agreement came amid concerns that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may influence China’s…activities in East Asia.

At a meeting held at the State Guest House, or Akasaka Palace, in Tokyo’s Minato Ward, Kishida said that the Japanese government will “secure a substantial increase in its defense spending in a bid to drastically enhance Japan’s defense capabilities.”

Kishida also said that the government does not rule out any options, such as possessing so-called counterstrike capabilities, indicating that it would consider the possibility of Japan acquiring the capability to attack enemy bases.

Biden said that the United States’ determination to defend Japan is unwavering. Kishida and Biden agreed that Tokyo and Washington will communicate closely at a ministerial level to maintain and strengthen the extended deterrence including the U.S. nuclear umbrella.