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US Bolsters Nuclear Umbrella for Japan to Counter Regional Threats
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![Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko]( "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to the defense of Japan by pledging the use of its full range of military capabilities, including nuclear weapons. This confirmation came during the Extended Deterrence Dialogue held at the State Department in Washington on February 18.
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The meeting involved senior officials from the State Department and the Department of Defense, along with their counterparts from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense. Representatives from the military commands of both nations also participated in the discussions.
Participants agreed that the current nuclear policy and deployment of American forces, combined with Japan’s increasing investment in its own conventional military strength, are essential for preventing and responding to regional aggression.
The delegations expressed concerns regarding the rapid and opaque expansion of China’s nuclear arsenal. They also discussed Russia’s historical failure to meet arms control obligations.
During the talks, Japan supported the US goal of reaching a more effective nuclear arms limitation agreement. Tokyo emphasized that such a process must include China in addition to Russia.
The two sides also reviewed the progress of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and restated their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Reports have also surfaced indicating that the United States is currently encouraging NATO members to limit the participation of certain partner nations in the upcoming July alliance summit in Ankara.
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These reports suggest that representatives from Ukraine, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan may be excluded from the event.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine’s readiness to deepen defense cooperation with Japan by sharing advanced technologies developed during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In an interview with Kyodo News on February 20, 2026, Zelenskyy highlighted the potential for a historic turning point in bilateral relations through the exchange of battlefield-tested knowledge.
He specifically noted that Ukraine was prepared to share its expertise in sea drones, which successfully drove the Russian fleet from the Black Sea, as well as interceptor UAVs and cybersecurity strategies.
Zelenskyy also extended an invitation to Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to visit Ukraine, emphasizing his openness to high-level talks focused on joint production and defense capabilities.
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-091ec11af562232db5201a28ee353e09.jpg "Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber with three PTB-3000 external fuel tanks, 2022. (Source: SCIMlTAR/Reddit)")
