Japan has relied too heavily on the U.S. for security, according to Taro Kono, Japan’s former defense minister, as concerns grow that Washington may scale back its global military role.
“I think we have put too much burden on the United States,” Kono, who also previously served as foreign minister, told CNBC’s Emily Tan on “The China Connection.”
’Now, Japan, Korea, Australia, the Philippines, Singapore — we need to shoulder more burden on our shoulders to keep the peace and stability in the region,” he added.
His remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington is reviewing the possibility of a troop reduction in Germany, in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday.
Japan hosts about 55,000 U.S. troops, the largest American military presence overseas. The U.S. also has about 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea, while around 35,000 are stationed in Germany.
