指揮統制の強化確認　南西地域で「プレゼンス拡大」―日米防衛相

　【シンガポール時事】木原稔防衛相は２日午後（日本時間同）、米国のオースティン国防長官とシンガポールで会談した。４月の首脳会談を受け、自衛隊と米軍の共同作戦能力向上へ双方の指揮統制上の連携を強める方針を確認。緊迫する台湾海峡情勢をにらみ、「南西地域における日米の共同プレゼンス拡大」を申し合わせ、防衛施設の共同使用や共同訓練を拡充する方向性を重ねて共有した。
　また、ミサイルの共同開発・生産や米軍艦艇の日本国内での補修など、防衛産業が関わる協力について調整の加速で一致。「核の傘」提供を含む米国の拡大抑止の強化に関して意見を交わし、インド太平洋地域で同志国連携を推進することで改めて合意した。
　日米両政府は外務・防衛担当閣僚による安全保障協議委員会（２プラス２）を７月に東京で開く方向で調整中。防衛相会談の結果も踏まえ、指揮統制の連携などについて具体化を図る。（2024/06/02-19:07）

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had talks in Singapore on Sunday and reaffirmed the two countries' plan to strengthen command and control coordination to enhance the joint operational capability of Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military.
   In light of tensions across the Taiwan Strait, Kihara and Austin agreed to boost the joint presence of Japan and the United States in Japan's southwestern region, while reiterating their commitment to expanding the sharing of defense facilities and joint drills.
   The two officials also agreed to accelerate coordination on cooperation involving their countries' defense industries, such as joint missile development and production and the maintenance of U.S. warships in Japan.
   They discussed the strengthening of the United States' extended deterrence, including its nuclear umbrella, and reconfirmed that they will promote cooperation among like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
   The Japanese and U.S. governments are planning to hold a "two-plus-two" security meeting of their foreign and defense ministers in Tokyo in July. The planned meeting is expected to discuss specific measures, including for command and control coordination, based on the Kihara-Austin talks.