US Ambassador Nominee to South Korea: "Japan Must Take Greater Responsibility as an Ally"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Kenneth Weinstein, nominated as the next U.S. Ambassador to Japan, said on the 5th (local time) that he would propose that Japan take on more responsibility as an ally.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun and others, Weinstein appeared at a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing that day and stated that amid the escalating U.S.-China rivalry for hegemony in the Indo-Pacific region, military cooperation between the U.S. and Japan must be broadened and solidified.

Weinstein said, "If confirmed as ambassador, I will demand that Japan increase its military capabilities, expand new capabilities within the U.S.-Japan alliance, and take on greater responsibility." This is interpreted as his intention to realize the demands made by former U.S. President Donald Trump for an increase in the cost-sharing for U.S. forces stationed in Japan. Regarding the special agreement on cost-sharing for U.S. forces in Japan, which expires in March next year, he said, "We can achieve a productive conclusion in the renewal negotiations."

Weinstein also emphasized that "the U.S.-Japan alliance is the cornerstone for peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region," highlighting that the 50,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan and the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet guarantee peace and stability between the two countries. He further stressed that as China continues to engage in destabilizing actions globally, including in the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S. and Japan must strengthen multilateral cooperation with other allies.

He also expressed his position on the relocation of U.S. forces in Japan. Weinstein stated that efforts will continue to move the U.S. military base located in Futenma, Ginowan City, Okinawa, to Henoko, Nago City, Okinawa. Okinawa residents strongly oppose this.

Furthermore, he emphasized the need to strengthen economic cooperation between the U.S. and Japan, stating that a comprehensive agreement including services should be concluded in the second phase of U.S.-Japan trade negotiations, and progress should be made in the automobile sector. Regarding the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, postponed to next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, "I want to celebrate it as a symbol of jointly overcoming COVID-19."

Weinstein, a conservative-leaning East Asia expert and former president of the Hudson Institute think tank, has visited Japan and held multiple meetings with former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and maintains close ties with the Trump administration. This hearing was held ahead of the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of the ambassador to Japan. If confirmed by the Senate, he will assume his post starting this fall.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.