Japan plans new joint command to manage armed forces

A Japan Coast Guard vessel patrolling the waters off Yonaguni Island, Okinawa prefecture. Kishida's government is boosting its military spending in response to China's growing might and geopolitical uncertainty over Taiwan and North Korea's missile developments. - AFP

TOKYO (Reuters): Japan will set up a new joint command to manage the operations of its land, sea and air forces, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Saturday (Oct 29), as part of a major defence overhaul in the face of China's increasing assertiveness over Taiwan.

The government aims to have the joint command functioning by 2024. It will be tasked with coordinating strategies and boosting Japan's defence cooperation with the US military, Nikkei reported.