Japan to meet America's request for increasing funding for hosting US troops: Report

Japan is gearing up to meet United States’ request for hosting American soldiers from fiscal year 2022 with both sides signing an agreement by next month, Mainichi reported citing Japanese government sources. Reportedly, Tokyo has asked Washington to consider using increase in Japanese role to fund expenses including maintenance of facilities which are jointly used by Self-Defence Forces and US military, inste of covering only US bases.

As per report, Japanese government believes that such financial contribution from Tokyo will elevate long-standing military alliance while also making it easier to win public backing. Reportedly, for present fiscal year through March, Japan will shoulder $1.76 billion to host nation support including utilities, ws for country’s staff along cost for relocation. 

amount requested by United States as an increased contribution has t been disclosed. media outlet’s source said that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida “will make a final decision”. In order to stipulate that Japan’s increased contribution be appropriated for joint training and or activities, Kishida-led government, as per sources, will consider ding a clause in agreement which will remain in place for half-a-dece through fiscal year 2026.

In negotiations between US and Japan regarding contribution, Washington is reportedly believed to have cited importance of American military’s presence in region to tackle China’s military expansion as well as rth Korea’s nuclear and missile development. According to US, Beijing and Pyongyang’s measures are reasons for Japan to increase its burden. But, Japan has said that it wants US to understand that Tokyo cant massively increase its spending due to its limited finances.

US, Japan Launch talks to dress steel, aluminum overcapacity

Meanwhile, United States and Japan have started talks to dress matters concerning excess capacity in global steel and aluminium market, said Office of US Tre Representative’s (USTR) office. As per Sputnik, official release by USTR stated, “United States Tre Representative Karine Tai and United States Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo today anunced start of consultations with Japan to dress global steel and aluminum excess capacity, take effective measures to ensure long-term viability of our steel and aluminum industries, and find solutions to strengn our democratic alliance.”

(IM: AP)