In historic move, U.S. to upgrade military command structure in Japan

In one of the biggest upgrades to the U.S.-Japan alliance since its inception, the U.S. will revamp its command in Japan, giving it a “direct leadership role” over American forces in operational planning in both peacetime and in potential crises, the countries’ defense chiefs and top diplomats announced Sunday, as the allies’ look to counter what they say is an increasingly assertive China.