Following reports that the Pentagon was considering scrapping a plan to expand US Forces in Japan, the Japanese government announced on Friday ( Mar 21 ) that it was committed to strengthening its military alliance with Washington.
Around 54, 000 military officers from the United States are now reporting to Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii.
However, the nations are considering upgrading this control structure with a new headquarters in Japan in accordance with a deal made a year ago between former officials Joe Biden and Fumio Kishida.
The action aims to make US and Chinese forces more quick to respond to challenges like a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
This month, CNN and NBC News in the US reported that President Donald Trump’s administration might put a stop to these programs as part of a comprehensive government cost-cutting initiative.
The reports cited a lecture record and a US defense established, which have not been confirmed by Washington.
They claimed that putting a stop to the planned US Forces growth in Japan would save around US$ 1.1 billion, but warned that it could even increase US political risk and limit US command and control in the Pacific area.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, a spokesman for Japan’s top government, stated on Friday that the nations ‘ agreement to improve their deterrence capabilities under the US-Japan alliance had” no change.”
According to Hayashi,” We want to keep the near discussions between Japan and the United States in order to further enhance the connectivity and sensitivity” of the two militaries.
He did not directly inquire as to whether the US had explained the Japan-reported ideas.