TOKYO — The United States and Japan, two of the world’s most important military allies, reaffirmed this week that America’s commitment to defend Japan includes the possible use of nuclear weapons if necessary.
The pledge came during the June 2026 U.S.-Japan Extended Deterrence Dialogue, held June 8-9 at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo. According to a joint statement released by the two governments, the United States “reaffirmed its commitment to the defense of Japan, using the full range of U.S. defense capabilities, including nuclear.”
The statement underscores the central role Japan plays in U.S. military strategy in the Indo-Pacific, where Washington and Tokyo are working to deter potential aggression from China, Russia and North Korea.
Japan has long relied on what is commonly called the American “nuclear umbrella.” That means Japan, which does not possess nuclear weapons of its own, is protected by the United States’ nuclear deterrent as part of the broader U.S.-Japan alliance.
That alliance is rooted in the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan. Under the treaty, both nations recognize that an armed attack against either country in territories under Japan’s administration would be dangerous to the peace and safety of both. The treaty also allows U.S. forces to use facilities and bases in Japan to help defend the country and maintain security in the region.
The June meeting in Tokyo brought together senior defense and foreign policy officials from both nations. The U.S. delegation was co-chaired by the Department of State and Department of War, while Japan was represented by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense. Participants also included officials from the Japan Joint Staff, U.S. Joint Staff, U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Forces Japan.
The two sides discussed U.S. efforts to modernize and adapt its nuclear forces, as well as Japan’s defense policies and capabilities. Japanese officials also updated the United States on Tokyo’s ongoing work on its National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy and Defense Buildup Program.
The talks come as Japan faces a far more dangerous security environment than it did in past decades.
China has rapidly expanded its military power and nuclear arsenal while becoming more aggressive around Taiwan and in disputed waters. North Korea continues to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles capable of threatening Japan, South Korea and potentially the United States. Russia, meanwhile, has deepened military ties with North Korea and continues to act as a nuclear-armed power willing to use threats and intimidation.
In their statement, the United States and Japan said they discussed China’s “dramatic and opaque nuclear weapons buildup.” They also rejected Russia’s claim that North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weapons should be treated as a closed issue, reaffirming their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea.
Japan also encouraged the United States to pursue broader strategic stability talks aimed at reducing nuclear risks. The Japanese delegation called for multilateral efforts to avert a nuclear arms race, address concerns about nuclear testing, improve transparency and support arms control dialogues with China and Russia.
Even as Japan supports nuclear risk reduction, the country remains heavily dependent on U.S. military power for its own defense. Japan’s post-World War II constitution placed limits on its military posture, though Tokyo has moved in recent years to significantly expand defense spending and strengthen its ability to respond to regional threats.
The United States, in turn, relies on Japan as one of its most critical allies in Asia. U.S. bases in Japan give American forces a major forward presence near China, North Korea, Taiwan and key Pacific shipping lanes. Those bases support air, naval, ground and logistics operations that would be central to any major regional crisis.
During the Tokyo meeting, the U.S. and Japanese delegations also conducted a routine tabletop exercise and visited Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Yokosuka Base, where they observed the JS Kirishima.
The message from the meeting was clear: the U.S.-Japan alliance remains backed by American conventional military power, strategic forces and, if necessary, nuclear weapons.
For Japan, that promise is meant to deter enemies from attacking. For the United States, it is part of a broader strategy to keep a powerful military foothold in the Indo-Pacific and prevent rivals from changing the regional order by force.