Japan Responds to Trump's 'Unfair US-Japan Security Treaty' Remarks with Commitment to Strengthen Alliance

Japan: "The U.S.-Japan alliance is stronger than ever"
Concerns rise over possible pressure from Trump for increased defense spending

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction by pointing out the asymmetrical nature of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, while the Japanese government stated its intention to strengthen the alliance's deterrence capabilities. The Japanese government is on high alert for the possibility that President Trump's remarks could lead to increased pressure for higher costs of stationing U.S. forces in Japan.

Hayashi Yoshimasa, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan. Photo by Yonhap News

At a press conference on the 7th, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, said, “The U.S.-Japan alliance is the cornerstone of Japan’s foreign and security policy,” and added, “Japan fully trusts that the United States will fulfill its treaty obligations.” He emphasized, “An alliance where both sides can assist each other strengthens the bond, and currently, the U.S.-Japan alliance is stronger than ever.”

This was interpreted as a response to President Trump’s statement on the 6th (local time) at the White House, where he told reporters, “We have to protect Japan, but Japan doesn’t have to protect us,” arguing that the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty is a one-sided agreement unfavorable to the United States. President Trump also described the treaty as an “interesting deal,” saying, “Japan has accumulated wealth thanks to its relationship with the U.S.”

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi added, “Our country is continuously reviewing efforts to independently strengthen deterrence and response capabilities,” and “We will work closely with the United States to further enhance the deterrence and response capabilities of the U.S.-Japan alliance.”

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also commented on the same day during the House of Councillors Budget Committee, saying, “He said the same thing during his first term,” and added, “Japan provides bases to the U.S., and there is a need to discuss the role Japan plays in the U.S.’s global strategy.”

The U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, signed in 1951 and revised in 1960, clarified the United States’ obligation to defend Japan. However, Japan has not explicitly committed to defending the United States, which has led to ongoing controversy over the treaty’s asymmetry.

In 2015, through the Peace and Security Legislation, Japan enabled the Self-Defense Forces to exercise collective self-defense rights, allowing them to retaliate if the U.S. is attacked, but this does not equate to a balanced mutual defense obligation between the U.S. and Japan.

With the possibility that President Trump’s recent remarks could lead to demands for increased defense cost-sharing by Japan, the Japanese government is expected to respond by strengthening defense capabilities through enhanced cooperation with the U.S. while maintaining the treaty framework. Kyodo News analyzed, “This is the first time President Trump has publicly made such remarks since starting his second term,” and noted, “There is a possibility that this will be used as a rationale to force Japan to increase defense spending.”

In response, the Japanese government stated, “We will further solidify the U.S.-Japan alliance through close communication with the United States,” expressing its intention to take immediate action.

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