US and Japan Begin Negotiations This Week Over Security Costs for US Forces Stationed in Japan

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] According to NHK on the 10th, the United States and Japanese governments will begin official negotiations this week regarding the costs of stationing U.S. forces in Japan.

According to the report, Nobuo Kishi, Japan's Minister of Defense, stated at a press conference following the Cabinet meeting that this week, working-level officials from the foreign and defense authorities of both the U.S. and Japan will start formal negotiations in Washington, D.C. Minister Kishi said, "Based on the increasingly severe regional security environment and our country's difficult financial situation, we want to make appropriate judgments and respond accordingly."

NHK reported that considering U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's victory and the fact that the U.S. side is in a transition period, the Japanese government is expected to approach the negotiations next year based on a proposal to temporarily maintain the current level. A Japanese government official told reporters, "The U.S. side may be in a transition period, and the total burden amount for the five years will not be decided now."

The portion of the costs borne by Japan for the U.S. forces stationed in Japan is based on a special agreement concluded every five years. NHK reported that preliminary consultations were held last month, considering that the current agreement, which is renewed every five years, will expire in March next year.

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