US-Japanese Defense Pact: Japan Times
US President Donald Trump relies on equivocation and impulsivity during negotiations and staff planning – to mask his intentions, seek leverage, and keep adversaries and allies on edge. A report suggested that Trump suggested terminating the 1951 defense pact with Japan, calling it “one-sided.” Yoshihide Suga, chief cabinet secretary, pointed out that Trump issued a denial and the two countries continue to coordinate on global security. “Quoting three unnamed sources, the report said Trump was particularly unhappy that the alliance does not oblige Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to come to America’s aid even though it guarantees U.S. aid in the event Japan is attacked,” explains Tomohiro Osaki for the Japan Times. “Under the treaty, Japan instead allows Washington to use vast territorial areas as bases for U.S. military forces.” The two leaders will meet in Japan at the G20 summit of the world’s largest economies. Even though he scrapped the Trans Pacific Partnership, Trump is eager to secure a trade deal with Japan. Shinzō Abe, Japan’s prime minister, will be careful not to give in to Trump too much ahead of July elections for members of the House of Councillors, upper house of the National Diet of Japan. – YaleGlobal
US-Japanese Defense Pact: Japan Times
The Japanese government cites Trump as denying report that he considered ending defense pact between the United States and Japan
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Read the article from the Japan Times about a report suggesting Trump considered an end to the US-Japanese defense pact and a subsequent denial.
Tomohiro Osaki is a staff writer in the Domestic News Division. A graduate of Sophia University in Tokyo, he likes to explore under-reported realities of Japanese youth, with a tendency toward the taboo. Staff writers Jesse Johnson and Reiji Yoshida contributed to this report.
The Japan Times
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