U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Darryl C. C. Cudd. UPI Yonhap News. 

Admiral Darryl C. C. Cudd, Chief of Naval Operations of the U.S. Navy, stated on the 17th that he was "not surprised" by the remarks of Sanae Takaichi, a minister in the Japanese Prime Minister's office, who suggested the possibility of exercising collective self-defense in the event of a Taiwan contingency.

According to the Nikkei Shimbun, Admiral Cudd met with Japanese media in Tokyo and said he understood Takaichi's stance of being very concerned about a Taiwan contingency.

However, regarding Takaichi's comment that a Taiwan contingency could be considered a "state of existential crisis" where collective self-defense could be exercised, he said, "I cannot say for sure what a state of existential crisis means."

A state of existential crisis refers to a clearly dangerous situation where the existence of Japan is threatened by an armed attack on a country closely related to Japan.

Admiral Cudd explained that there would be no change in the U.S. military's strategy toward Taiwan due to Takaichi's remarks.

Regarding South Korea's official move to pursue the construction of nuclear-powered submarines, he said, "Japan may consider possessing nuclear-powered submarines like South Korea," and that building nuclear-powered submarines would require much discussion.

Defense Minister Shinzō Koizumi has previously stated that given that neighboring countries, including South Korea, are planning or have introduced nuclear-powered submarines, it is natural for Japan to discuss possessing nuclear-powered submarines to enhance its defense capabilities.

Admiral Cudd also urged an increase in defense spending, stating that he would like to see Japan increase its defense budget (defense spending) to 5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Takaichi cabinet has decided to advance the target year for increasing defense spending to 2% of GDP from fiscal year 2027 (April 2027 - March 2028) to fiscal year 2025.

Yonhap News