{"id":27000,"date":"2022-06-17T15:20:05","date_gmt":"2022-06-17T15:20:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2022\/06\/17\/marine-pacific-commander-vows-to-bolster-japanese-defenses-against-china-russia\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:15:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:15:37","slug":"marine-pacific-commander-vows-to-bolster-japanese-defenses-against-china-russia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/flashpoints\/2022\/06\/17\/marine-pacific-commander-vows-to-bolster-japanese-defenses-against-china-russia\/","title":{"rendered":"Marine Pacific commander vows to bolster Japanese defenses against China, Russia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The head of the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific<\/a> said Friday his forces are committed to defending the southwestern Japanese islands as allies in the region try to bolster defenses amid growing threats from China and Russia.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder<\/a>, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and commanding general of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, said at the beginning of talks with Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi that the U.S. Marine presence <\/a>is focused on the so-called first island chain in the western Pacific \u2014 the string of islands stretching from Japan\u2019s East China Sea islands through the Philippines. The islands have traditionally defined a boundary of China\u2019s sphere of influence, but Beijing now appears to be pushing eastward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith our forces west of the international dateline, we will continue to live, train and work in the first island chain primarily with the assistance and support of our Japanese host,\u201d Rudder said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United States and Japan are looking to develop capabilities and tactics to ensure readiness in the region, he said. His comments come on the heels of China\u2019s and Russia\u2019s increased naval activity around Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\t