The United States could stop a planned expansion of its forces in Japan as part of efforts to slash Defense Department spending, CNN reported Wednesday.
If the administration of President Donald Trump goes ahead, it could undermine the ongoing process to upgrade the role of Japan-based U.S. forces amid rising security challenges posed by China and North Korea.
CNN and NBC News, which was first to report that the administration was reconsidering the plan, based on a Pentagon briefing document, said the cancellation could save about $1 billion.
The halt is one of the options under consideration by the Trump administration to downsize the federal government and reorganize the military's combatant commands and headquarters, the two media outlets said.
Under the administration of Trump's predecessor Joe Biden, the United States and Japan agreed to improve the command functions of the U.S. forces in Japan to help the allies better coordinate and respond to contingencies.
CNN and NBC News said the other cost-saving plans include merging the U.S. European Command and the U.S. Africa Command into a single structure based in Stuttgart, Germany.
Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Sen. Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released a joint statement saying they are "very concerned" about the Pentagon's reported plans.
"We support continuing America's leadership abroad. As such, we will not accept significant changes to our warfighting structure that are made without a rigorous interagency process, coordination with combatant commanders and the Joint Staff, and collaboration with Congress," the chairmen said.
"Such moves risk undermining American deterrence around the globe and detracting from our negotiating positions with America's adversaries," they said.
CNN said the briefing document was prepared by U.S. defense officials earlier in March for senior leaders, with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency aggressively targeting the federal civil service and pressuring government agencies to make drastic spending cuts.
© KYODO
34 Comments
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HopeSpringsEternal
Just like in EU, US troop counts will drop, only question is by how much and how soon?
tamanegi
Good move. Japan will have no problem covering any reduction. Also it's time for the Jboy bands to get haircuts and head down Sasebo way.
wallace
Japan covers 75% of the expenses for US troops and bases. The highest of any country with American bases.
While the cost of maintaining an expansive overseas presence often comes under scrutiny, basing the same number of units at home instead would sometimes be more expensive. The U.S. operates about 750 overseas military facilities, mostly in Europe and East Asia, for $55 billion in 2021.
There are many Japanese who would like to see fewer American troops or zero.
Albert
American people voted for this president and after 4 years America will come back by saying sorry.
Nibek32
America first is America alone. Good riddance.
Blacklabel
Bye then. And lose our phone number.
Sid
The US placed military bases in many countries, not because it's doing those countries a favour, but because it was in its own interests. It's getting a little old for the US to make out that it's getting a raw deal protecting other countries as if it was a one-way act of philanthropy.
Nibek32
America will come crawling back with their tail between their legs in 4 years, again.
HopeSpringsEternal
DJT's not interested in US Military Industrial Complex or Globalist coalitions within US, who both despise him and seek to use hard power globally when opportunity arises.
Trump Admin will downsize US forces abroad to include Japan, EU, South Korea etc. in order to improve global relations and to refocus on global economic growth.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Probably ended because Xi disapproves.
Blacklabel
Again?
that’s not quite the way we arrived here.
Tamarama
TINC
Of course he disapproves. If China had military bases offshore of the US from Alaska all the way down to the bottom of Mexico, would the US approve of that?
Nibek32
Nah, turns out Americans don’t like fascism after all. Trump’s approval ratings are abysmal. Will be decades before republicans get another shot after this disastrous term.
HopeSpringsEternal
China's busy militarizing Cuba, South & Central America
Peter14
America has bases around the world to support US interests and security. They have eyes and ears everywhere. They can be anywhere in minutes or hours where most nations would be looking at days or weeks.
Trump is an absolute imbecile but even he should recognize that pulling US troops from any area is NOT in US interests. He will bluster, lie, cajole, threaten in order to exact more money from nations the US has a large troop presence, but he wont weaken US ability to respond fast and hard anywhere in the world in as short a time as possible to defend its interests. If he does he is even more stupid than I already know him to be.
Hideyoshi.N
This is good, Japan needs less American troops not more.
itsonlyrocknroll
The future of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, an alliance between Japan and the United States agreed 1951 is politically in doubt.
As is the role of the US forces stationed in Japan, that appears 2025 primarily role as forward bases to prevent a full scale attack on the USA.
Japan mainland now more a secondary priority.
It is time to review the whole US presence.
Look towards a regional shared security policy.
Japan Government must open a full debate with J people to consider a independent tactical/strategic off shore deterrent.
In the meantime review the decision making process as to who has the final say to deploy?
Japan or US Government?
Times have politically diplomatically changed, so must the government of Japan.
The Japan-U.S. Security Treaty could well be "past its sell by date"
quercetum
You support warfighting abroad that what it is.
It's time to cut spending before the chickens come home to roost on the trillion dollars of debt. The current administration is run by people who understand this.
BertieWooster
Bye bye US bases!
Either pay your way or get out!
OKuniyoshi
Reclaim the country's sovereignty, decide and make all the decisions/directions for the country and people, do what is good for the people/a better life.
Bret T
@Nibek32
"Nah, turns out Americans don’t like fascism after all. Trump’s approval ratings are abysmal. Will be decades before republicans get another shot after this disastrous term."
"abysmal"?
Currently at 46%. That’s Trump’s average approval rating so far during his second term, higher than his 41% average approval rating throughout the duration of his first term, according to Gallup.
1glenn
Further tax cuts to America's oligarchs to be paid for with reduced security for Japan.
Today, March 20, marks two months that the convicted felon has been sitting in the Oval Office, and the damage he has been able to do to world security and the world's economy is mind boggling. One would expect nothing less from a dedicated criminal and Russian puppet.
Bret T
@Peter14
"Trump is an absolute imbecile but even he should recognize that pulling US troops"
Read the article. No planned reduction. A cancellation of an increase.
Fos
You are absolutely right. To put it with the Political Analyst and Columbia University Professor Jeffrey Sachs: ‘The United States are the most lawless and dangerous country in the world by far’
History tells us that in the course of the 20th century alone, Washington has participated in 39 armed conflicts, or one every three years, and since 2000 it has engaged in at least 12 wars, the equivalent of one every two years. Instead for four decades China has rose to economic significance in relative peace.
Apart from strengthening ties with the United States (essentially buying billions of dollars of weapons), Japan should also strive independently to have a direct dialogue with China and build mutual trust.
owzer
Meh. Japan will ask for the US to send more troops when China encroaches on fishing areas and becomes more aggressive in the region.
Cynical_Skeptic
Before everyone gets too giddy; regardless of what side of the geopolitical spectrum you are on, bear in mind you are trying to use rationalization and logic against schizophrenic behavior. I wouldn't read too much into the tea leaves just yet. Historically, a contraction in one area allows an expansion in another, but with the cost and side effects of Invega Sustenna in consideration - I'm mature enough to say that all bets are off for the next four years.
theFu
Just 48% of voters chose Trump. 52% picked someone else.
I don't need to wait 1401 more days to say we're sorry for Trump. He's harming the US more than the rest of the world. We feel the pain here too.
DeeZee
To be America's enemy is dangerous, To be America's friend is fatal - Henry Kissinger
Angel Uresti
Someone that pay attention to USA history must remember to president Trump that 1 of the reasons to "Protect" Japan was to prevent a return of the imperial Japan, that was the reason of the imposed constitution and officially don't have an army just a self defense force. If USA wants to leave the zone and left each country to its own means, they will do it, we will face another army race, but this time I'm not sure that USA can win this one. Pretty bad bet.
TaiwanIsNotChina
If we are paying 100% for them, we should be able to attack China with them in the event of a Taiwan crisis, no?
deanzaZZR
"we will not accept significant changes to our warfighting structure", more like war mongering structure, Congressmen.
ZENJI
Time to shut out and shut down these bases.
GBR48
Translation: The US are going to want another billion from Japan in protection money.
Yrral
Japanese cannot handle the truth,they are at the mercy of Trump,they will get worse than Zelensky, because st least he was man enough to resist Trump