Austin Says US Willing to Use Nukes to Defend Japan as 2 Nations Boost Military Cooperation

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken participate in the Peace, Security, and Governance Forum during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit on Dec. 13, 2022 in Washington. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The United States is willing to use nuclear weapons to defend its ally Japan, and will defend Japan’s claim to the Senkaku Islands, which communist China claims as its own, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Jan. 11.

His remarks came as the two countries agreed to deepen strategic and military cooperation in the face of multiple challenges, including increasing aggression by China’s ruling communist regime.