US bolsters military presence with new Japan base plan
The United States plans to establish a new "war-fighting base" in Japan as a means to bolster US military presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
What do you need to know?
- New "war-fighting base" in Japan: Pentagon chief, Pete Hegseth, announced plans on Sunday for a new military investment in Japan. Alongside the creation of the new combat structure, a reorganisation of American forces in the country is to be conducted.
- Strengthening the US-Japan alliance: These actions aim to improve the US's ability to cooperate with Japanese self-defence forces and enhance security in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Response to Trump's statements: Remarks by US President Donald Trump concerning the alliance with Japan, and his proposals for NATO countries to increase defence spending, have raised concerns in Tokyo. Hegseth assured that there was no discussion about increasing Japan's defence spending.
What are the goals of the new combat base?
During his visit to Japan, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced plans to establish a new "war-fighting base". The strengthening of the military is intended to be the first stage of the reorganisation of American forces in Japan, announced during Joe Biden's administration.
Hegseth emphasised that the aim is to improve the US's ability to coordinate operations with Japanese self-defence forces. He also added that the US-Japanese military alliance is crucial for maintaining peace and security in the region.
Will Japan increase its defence spending?
In light of recent statements by Donald Trump, which questioned the reliability of US alliances, there are concerns that Hegseth may push Japan to increase its defence spending. However, both Hegseth and Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani assured after talks that this issue was not discussed.
The American military personnel in Japan currently numbers around 55,000, stationed at air and naval bases. The new "war-fighting base" is another step towards strengthening this strategic partnership. Hegseth noted that the goal is to create a robust alliance capable of deterring potential aggressive actions from China.
