In a meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel commended Japan's significant contribution to the reform and modernization of their alliance. He particularly highlighted Japan's efforts to bolster its military capability and spending, as well as its decision to allow Japanese-made Patriot guided missiles to be shipped to the United States to augment its decreasing inventory.

Emanuel emphasized Japan's commitment to enhancing its military power and strengthening the alliance between the two countries. He praised Japan's initiatives, stating that they have elevated the level of deterrence to a capital D deterrence.

Recently, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government eased Japan's postwar ban on lethal weapons exports, marking a major departure from the country's self-defense-only principle. Additionally, Japan approved a substantial 16.5% increase in defense spending for the next year, amounting to a record-breaking $56 billion. The focus of this increased spending will be on bolstering missile strike and defense capabilities.

The revised arms transfer policy now permits Japan to export weapons and components made in Japan under foreign licenses to licensing nations. This marks the first significant revision to Japan's arms export ban since the easing of restrictions on non-lethal weapons transfer in 2014. Furthermore, Japan is currently in the process of further easing its policy to allow the sale of jointly developed lethal weapons to third countries, such as the next-generation fighter jet being co-developed with Britain and Italy.

Responding swiftly to a request from the United States, Japan approved the shipment of surface-to-air Patriot guided missiles produced in Japan under an American license. This move has sparked speculation that the missiles may be sent to Ukraine. However, Japanese Defense Minister Kihara clarified that detailed plans for production and shipment are still being discussed to ensure that Japan's defense is not compromised.

The decision to export Patriot missiles has drawn criticism from pacifist groups, academics, and some opposition lawmakers in Japan. They question Tokyo's motive behind selling the missiles, arguing that Japan needs to fortify its missile strike and defense capabilities to counter an increasingly assertive China.

Kihara countered these criticisms by explaining that the shipment of Patriot missiles showcases the determination and capability of the Japan-U.S. military alliance. He emphasized that it is vital to maintain peace and stability in Japan and that Japan will not tolerate any attempts to disrupt the current international order.

Ambassador Emanuel hailed Japan's revision to its military equipment sale policy as a "capstone to a year of reform." He expressed his appreciation for the increased inventory of weapons for the United States and the Indo-Pacific region. Emanuel underscored the importance of these developments for a system that is currently under stress, adding that the Patriot missile shipment from Japan would solely contribute to the U.S. inventory.

Emanuel further acknowledged Japan's transformative efforts, from the defense spending increase to the planned deployment of Tomahawk missiles. He noted that these actions reflect a shift from alliance protection to alliance projection, and concluded by stating the United States' deep appreciation for Japan's initiatives.