Japanese Government: "Full Trust in the U.S. ... Will Maintain Close Cooperation"
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States spends hundreds of billions of dollars (hundreds of trillions of won) for Japan's security, but Japan does not pay anything. In response, U.S. media pointed out that President Trump's remarks were false.
On the 10th (local time), President Trump said at a White House Cabinet meeting, "We pay hundreds of billions of dollars to defend them (Japan), but Japan pays nothing." He also pointed out that while the U.S. has an obligation to defend Japan under the defense treaty, Japan has no obligation to defend the U.S.
In response, CNN reported that President Trump's remarks contained inaccuracies. In fact, Japan provides tens of billions of dollars annually to support the stationing of U.S. troops on its soil.
According to a 2021 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) cited by CNN, Japan provided $12.6 billion in direct support and indirect support such as exemptions and waivers on land and facility usage fees used by U.S. troops from 2016 to 2019. During the same period, the U.S. Department of Defense spent $20.9 billion on the stationing of U.S. forces in Japan.
The Japanese government stated that it is "aware of President Trump's remarks" but did not directly criticize them. On the 11th, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, said at a press conference, "The U.S.-Japan alliance is the cornerstone of Japan's foreign and security policy," and added, "The United States has confirmed its defense obligations to Japan several times, including at the recent U.S.-Japan summit."
He continued, "We have full confidence that the United States will fulfill its obligations under the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty by utilizing all capabilities, including nuclear weapons. The U.S.-Japan alliance has become stronger than ever and deterrence has greatly improved," emphasizing that close cooperation with the U.S. will continue.
President Trump's remarks attracted particular attention amid speculation that the U.S. will demand an increase in defense cost-sharing from South Korea. The day before, during an executive order signing event held in the White House Oval Office, President Trump said, "We pay for the troops in Europe but do not get much reimbursement. The same goes for South Korea," indicating his intention to comprehensively negotiate issues including increased costs for the stationing of U.S. forces in South Korea and reciprocal tariffs covering security and trade matters.
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