'US Forces in Japan Costs' Raised by Trump... Ishiba Says 'Japan and US Are Sharing Appropriately'

Japanese Defense Minister: "This Round of Negotiations Is Focused on Tariffs"

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is entering a hotel in Lima, Peru, on November 16 last year (local time) for the Korea-Japan summit. Photo by Yonhap News

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated on the 18th that the costs of stationing U.S. forces in Japan, which U.S. President Donald Trump raised concerns about during the first round of U.S.-Japan tariff negotiations on the 16th (local time), are being appropriately shared in accordance with an agreement between the Japanese and U.S. governments.

According to Kyodo News, Prime Minister Ishiba made this statement in response to questions from opposition lawmakers during a plenary session of the House of Councillors (Upper House) on the same day.

Previously, President Trump reportedly told Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s Minister for Economic Revitalization in charge of tariffs, during their meeting at the White House on the 16th (local time) that Japan’s share of the costs for stationing U.S. forces in Japan was too low. In Japan, these costs?commonly referred to as "defense cost-sharing" in South Korea?are called "sympathy budget" and are allocated by the Ministry of Defense. The United States and Japan have already agreed on Japan’s share of these costs through March 2027.

Ishiba also emphasized, "Japan’s defense budget will be determined independently by our country." However, he did not comment on whether the United States had requested an increase in Japan’s defense cost-sharing during the first round of tariff negotiations.

Regarding the U.S.-Japan tariff negotiations, he reiterated his previous position, stating, "The government will continue to respond with a united effort," and added, "I am, of course, considering visiting the United States at the most appropriate time to hold direct talks with President Trump."

On Japan’s domestic economic response to U.S. tariff measures, Ishiba explained, "We will first thoroughly analyze the impact and then take necessary measures, such as securing funding."

Defense Minister Gen Nakatani also stated at a press conference on the same day that security issues, such as tariff negotiations and the costs of stationing U.S. forces in Japan, are "separate matters," and added, "This round of negotiations is focused solely on tariffs." He further emphasized that there is "no reason to change" Japan’s share of the costs for stationing U.S. forces and that Japan is "responding firmly." Regarding the costs after April 2027, he stated that he "will not make any assumptions," indicating a cautious stance.