Japan considers funding enhanced protection for U.S. military facilities in Japan
According to Kyodo News, the Japanese government has begun contemplating proposing strengthened protection of U.S. military installations during negotiations with the United States over the cost-sharing of stationed U.S. forces. The talks are expected to officially begin this summer, with costs borne by Japan. This move aims to enhance the "resilience" of U.S. military bases in Japan, thereby strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance, ensuring these facilities can continue operating normally and minimize damage during emergencies.
The report indicates that this initiative is partly intended to demonstrate Japan’s efforts to President Trump, who has consistently urged allied nations to contribute more to defense costs. However, it could also lead to an increased financial burden on Japan. Trump has repeatedly pressed allies, including Japan, to pay more for hosting U.S. troops.
Regarding the costs of enhancing resilience, one proposal involves expanding the scope of the "Facility Improvement Fund." Traditionally, this fund has primarily been used under the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) for constructing barracks and family housing. Another option would be to include relevant projects in the special agreement on host nation support, which is renewed every five years.
It is expected that an agreement will be reached by the end of this year, covering a five-year period starting from fiscal year 2027—April next year. Representatives from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, as well as the U.S. Department of State and Pentagon will attend the negotiations. A Japanese government source said Washington has privately conveyed to Tokyo the necessity of protecting U.S. military facilities and believes Japan may increase spending in this area.
The source noted that the talks may reach a turning point this autumn, when Japan will consider how to increase expenditures beyond the current annual average of 200 billion yen (about $1.3 billion) allocated for host nation support. Over the five-year period from fiscal year 2022 to 2026, total spending on U.S. military bases in Japan was set at 1.06 trillion yen. The previous highest level of spending was 1.35 trillion yen over the five years from fiscal year 1996 to 2000.
Measures under consideration include undergrounding bases, reinforcing building structures, and dispersing deployments to better withstand explosive attacks and electromagnetic threats. Specific measures will be finalized through consultations with U.S. officials.
Source: rfi
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863492440593415/
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