The United States and Japan have announced a significant revamp of their military cooperation, transforming U.S. Forces Japan into a Joint Force Headquarters to improve coordination and operational capabilities in response to China's growing assertiveness and North Korea's nuclear threats. This change, described by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as the most significant upgrade in 70 years, will see USFJ reporting directly to the US Indo-Pacific Command and led by a three-star general. The initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance regional security, including Japan's plan to establish its own joint military command by March 2025. The two countries have also agreed to expand their co-production of air defense missiles and strengthen their extended deterrence capabilities. This move has been criticized by China, which views it as a threat to regional stability.