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Trump asked Japan to help with Golden Dome missile shield: report

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Translation: “Can you contribute towards the cost.”

27 ( +33 / -6 )

Sure thing, Great Leader. Your adversaries tremble in fear before your tremendous intellect.

16 ( +23 / -7 )

This will bankrupt one or both countries.

5 ( +19 / -14 )

Reviewing Lockheed Martin’s proposals

The “defence shield” technological development scale/cost could well be measured in decades.

Then factor in the current pandemic economic recovery priorities, politically, could well, I suggest will supersede such an investment.

Temporarily trade some rice, “cost of living” crisis is a much more pressing prority, do some “big beautiful rice deal”.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Japan Government Internal Memo on Trump Golden Dome Request:

Advise we will cooperate. If we see a missile flying over Japan, Japan will send a fax.

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

“which he wants to complete by the end of his term in 2029. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that Golden Dome could cost $831 billion over two decades.”

I think the latter is far more likely than the former. As should anybody.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Of any country it makes the most sense for Japan to develop a limited anti-ballistic missile defense with NK Kim's limited nuclear arsenal and clear hatred for Japan. Whether you want to partner with Trump is the real question.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

participation could serve as a bargaining chip for it to win concessions in ongoing tariff negotiations

translation:

It could lead to Japan tariff exemption even Japan posing high tariff for goods from US.

.

https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/1j9nr5j/the_us_says_japan_has_a_700_tariff_on_american/

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/03/12/japan/japan-rice-tariffs/

-16 ( +4 / -20 )

It takes a missile 5 minutes from launch,the time it takes the PM of Japan to get out of bed

-11 ( +8 / -19 )

Of course, Japan’s involvement in this delightful spectacle appears to be less about strategic defense and more about the fine art of tariff negotiations. What better way to secure economic concessions than offering a helping hand in a project priced at only $831 billion?

The Golden Dome will be completed by 2029—just in time for a third term?

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

The maintenance costs for Trump's Golden Dome missile defense system are expected to be substantial. While official estimates suggest an initial cost of $175 billion for development, independent projections indicate that long-term maintenance and upgrades could push the total cost to over $831 billion across two decades. Some say $ 1 trillion plus is more accurate.

Experts argue that the space-based components alone could require hundreds of billions in upkeep, given the need for satellite replacements, software updates, and interceptor replenishment. Additionally, the complexity of integrating and, sea, and space-based defenses means that operational costs could far exceed initial projections.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Japan would be stupid to be involved in this.

Completely unnecessary.

9 ( +15 / -6 )

Just start developing better relation with China. By the time it is completed it will be out dated. Just look at Israel Swiss cheese dome.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

The sheer number of people coping over anything Trump does in these comments will never not be funny to me.

Why would we not want a serious defense buff that could remove N. Korea and China's ability to threaten Japan or other nearby countries with missiles?

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

The US has already proven they can hit ICBMs during reentry using one of their anti-missile systems.

The challenge will be for missiles that have changing trajectories and higher speeds than an ICBM has (which is hypersonic, BTW).

The real danger to the US is from ship launched hypersonic weapons that change course multiple times and stay low.

I'd be surprised if simulations of these sort of attacks weren't already running and available for use with defensive systems that just need to be built.

The $1T cost isn't THAT much. That's 1 yr of a Trump deficit and the US will actually have something useful when it is done, unlike much of the other Trump deficit junk - he decided that National Park staffing were less important than all sorts of stuff. American's love our national parks and appreciate the rangers working there. And the pre-Trump CDC and FDA, even if Trump's anti-science team is destroying those govt agencies.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

No bloody way! It's bad enough that his regime is way corrupt. Give him (Trump) and inch and he will move his corrupt goal post many yards. No thanks!

8 ( +9 / -1 )

trump is saying that the USA can not build his beautiful dome alone? Also, did he said please and thank you?

10 ( +11 / -1 )

If an actor is determined to cause harm to a nation, they will find a way around any shield. Look at the 9/11 attacks or the Ukraine drone strikes on the bombers. I can imagine a nuclear bomb being detonated on the back of a truck in NYC. The only limiting factor are the limits of one's imagination.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Japan should tell him where to stick his dome. I do however have reservations about whether they have the cojones to do so.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Trump has no knowledge of anything substantial

2 ( +7 / -5 )

175 billion dollars is once again suddenly a lot of money, except when it is given to Ukraine for free.

-18 ( +3 / -21 )

There will be dozens & dozens of private subcontractors involved in the Golden Dome, which has huge support in the US and surely Japan, given NK's missile activity

Certainly, SpaceX will be a lead contractor, and others vetted with key technical and technological advantages will also be including possibly those with HQs in Japan!

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

I asked ChatGPT by what percentage would Japan have to increase its defense spending if the US simply packed up and went home:

”If the U.S. pulled all military support from Japan, Japan would likely need to increase its defense spending by roughly 100% to 200%—possibly more depending on the threat environment and desired capabilities.”

(any elaborated after that, go ask yourself and see the details)

so yes, I know it’s fun to sit around and get all mad about America and Trump and all that, but be careful what you wish for.

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

If Japan joins the U.S., will we get it for free like Canada does?

What a foolish man! If trump wants to mess up his own country, go ahead — but don’t drag other countries down with him!

8 ( +8 / -0 )

> CaptDingleheimerToday  09:15 am JST

I asked ChatGPT by what percentage would Japan have to increase its defense spending if the US simply packed up and went home:

”If the U.S. pulled all military support from Japan, Japan would likely need to increase its defense spending by roughly 100% to 200%—possibly more depending on the threat environment and desired capabilities.”

(any elaborated after that, go ask yourself and see the details)

so yes, I know it’s fun to sit around and get all mad about America and Trump and all that, but be careful what you wish for.

Wow what do other ai say

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

I asked ChatGPT by what percentage would Japan have to increase its defense spending if the US simply packed up and went home:

”If the U.S. pulled all military support from Japan, Japan would likely need to increase its defense spending by roughly 100% to 200%—possibly more depending on the threat environment and desired capabilities.”

(any elaborated after that, go ask yourself and see the details)

so yes, I know it’s fun to sit around and get all mad about America and Trump and all that, but be careful what you wish for.

Wow, would need a head when you have teacher chatGPT?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

The Golden Dome sounds less like a missile shield and more like a vanity umbrella—big, flashy, and full of holes. Japan should be cautious about funding a project that feels more like missile theater than missile defense. At $831 billion, this isn’t a shield, it’s a golden goose... and someone’s hoping Tokyo helps hatch it. Strategic alliances are one thing, but this smells more like tariff diplomacy in a shiny wrapper.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

This surely can be only about money support, but not about military expertise or military technology support, look, Japan doesn't even have any military and also for decades no contemporary experience or other significant practice, it has self defense forces. Although having some specific sophisticated technologies at hand, but can Japan be helpful with this? The new wars are more kind of dirty and outnumbering oriented as the naming Golden Dome surely gives already the hint. So what is needed here in this Dome case is just cheap and easy and under all circumstances functioning chip free zero-technology items in outnumbering count values, for example, millions of easiest but 100% working defense missiles and drones which not even can be jammed because they are nearly free from electronic parts etc., something like that.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Trump this month said he had selected a design for the planned $175 billion defense shield 

I would feel much more confident in this Golden Dome's success if it the design was selected by someone actually qualified to do so. Trump should limit his involvement in anything to just naming it. Usually somethng stupid, but we've become accustomed to it.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

And better relation means recognising that Taiwan is a Provence of China Just like the North Territories is a Prefecture of Japan. Sorry Tai. I recognise this is the Asian Century and the end of the USA century.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

OK....whats tomorrows thought bubble Donny ?

7 ( +9 / -2 )

CaptDingleheimerToday  09:15 am JST

I asked ChatGPT by what percentage would Japan have to increase its defense spending if the US simply packed up and went home:

”If the U.S. pulled all military support from Japan, Japan would likely need to increase its defense spending by roughly 100% to 200%—possibly more depending on the threat environment and desired capabilities.”

so yes, I know it’s fun to sit around and get all mad about America and Trump and all that, but be careful what you wish for.

The issue is not simply the cost. Japan could afford it if it had to.

The real issues are (1) Article 9 would have to be completely re-written, not just amended. And (2) Japan for a stand-alone defense would need nuclear capability which would require a 180 dregree turn around from it's post WWII stance.

Japan could well build a self sustaining military for defense, but it would have it's hands tied by constitutional constraints, unless they are removed first.

The U.S. does not have it's hands tied and can respond immediately if needed and chooses to do so.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Obvious, entire world faces a dire growing risk of missile, drone, hypersonic, etc. weapons proliferation. Trump's simply doing what nobody else can, leveraging the might of US Space and Tech to do something about it

Thus, Japan will likely be among the very FIRST country to try to 'sign-up' to $secure Golden Dome protection

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

This what happens when have openly dysfunction people like Trump in the Whitehouse

1 ( +7 / -6 )

The "Golden Grifter" is at it again. When will his crime spree come to an end? Like King Midas, his end will surely come with tears.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Channeling Reagan and the Star Wars program, are we?

The mutual assured destruction reality has worked for generations. Israel’s small scale Iron Dome isn’t even perfect.

We’re talking about stopping nuclear weapons here, not decades old technology of conventional rockets in the Middle East.

Remember that Musk is the master of over promising and under (if ever) delivering. It’s a fools errand.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Should call it the "Orange Dome." But seriously, this dome is a waste of money. Nations should be able to negotiate and be diplomatic. A shield like this is basically Reagan's version of "Star Wars" which was considered impossible in the 1980s. Perhaps its more possible with today's tech, but even so, like Israel's protective dome, its a result of having an extreme foreign policy that you need protection like that. A result of creating enemies around the world and not being able to make peace so instead you become a pariah and need that sort of "defense" when you go on the offense.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

175 billion dollars is once again suddenly a lot of money, except when it is given to Ukraine for free.

It would be a lot less if Trump wasn't Putin's little poodle. It's obvious that Trump wasn't informed about the latest awesome drone attack- Trump would have informed Putin in no time. No one trusts Trump. Latest news is that the law firms that agreed to settle with Trump instead of fight for easy win against him are losing major clients:

Top U.S. companies ditch law firms that aligned with Trump amid backlash and reputation risk concerns

(news source)

Never make a deal with Trump (Rule no. 1 in life) and this goes with Japan. Everything Trump touches dies.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

If Japan help us, maybe we can give them some rice

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

If Japan gets tarriff exemption in exchange for this, ok ,not so bad deal.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

The challenge will be for missiles that have changing trajectories and higher speeds than an ICBM has (which is hypersonic, BTW).

ICBMs are already the fastest target set so what are you referring too? There is literally nothing faster on re-entry than an ICBM and maneuvering re-entry vehicles have existed for a couple of decades.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Sven AsaiToday  09:32 am JST

This surely can be only about money support, but not about military expertise or military technology support, look, Japan doesn't even have any military

You have no idea what you're talking about.

Japan is in the top 10 military powers globally. GFP ranks Japan in 2025 as number 8 out of 145 countries.

Link- 2025 Japan Military Strength

Japan has a robust military technology sector. This despite being constitutionally constrained from any aggressive military action unless attacked.

Link - Railguns, missiles and lasers: Japan uses massive defense event to highlight shift - The Japan Times

Japan has participated with the U.S. on development of the SM-3 Block IIA Missile (Aegis BMD Program) as well as Missile Defense System Integration and the development of the F-35 Lightening II. Japan is a partner in the Sixth-generation stealth fighter aircraft program GCAP with the UK and Italy.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

This surely can be only about money support, but not about military expertise or military technology support, look, Japan doesn't even have any military and also for decades no contemporary experience or other significant practice, it has self defense forces.

Someone has no hands on with the JSDF. You might be surprised but Japan has a few firsts such as the first combat jet equipped with an AESA radar ( Mitsubishi F-2 ) and the first air defense missile with an AESA radar ( Type 03 Chu-SAM ). This missile is being further developed to intercept hypersonic missiles. The Type-10 tank has very advanced metallurgy to allow it to be lighter than competitive western designs without sacrificing protection, and the armor can be changed depending on the expected kinds of combat, lighter armor where speed is important, heavier armor where protection becomes more important than speed. If you ever walked the decks of a modern Japanese warship you would not say things like this. Japan has superb equipment.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Money extortion again. Japan is an easy ATM !

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

The US has been pouring billions into some version of this since the Reagan administration.

The defense industry loves these perpetual projects that can never be fully completed in a single administration, and can only be tested in the last minutes of the existence of the human race.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

In order to be impartial, all these U.S. bases and facilities should be withdrawn for starters. As some USFJ-related poster pointed out, they are planted here as watchdogs against Japan going back to pre-war day militarism, shedding off the pacifist constitution, even nuclear-armed itself. These are the problems that must be dealt with internally by us, but Washington's policy line seems to be in a diagonal opposition to it, instigating Japan to increase its defense budget more and buy more U.S.-made arms, etc.

 

Why should Japanese taxpayers build Futenma's replacement in Henoko, Okinawa, and offer it to USFJ for free?

1 ( +5 / -4 )

It’s gonna be huuuge!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

What are the nukes for? Isn’t it cheaper and safer to eliminate all the enemies?

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Japan should get a golden dome missile shield as well. They need to protect their overpriced rice!

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

I notice he hasn’t been taking about the wall much recently.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

This has already been confirmed that it would cost trillions of dollars and be technically impossible to protect all parts of the US.

A much simpler and cost effective strategy would be for trump to not make the rest of the world hate and want to destroy America.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The fast-track to peace and prosperity is to bin the world's nuclear arsenal and usher in a new era of international cooperation to eliminate wars, world hunger and poverty and save the planet from irreversible environmental damage. We now only have 100 years max to fix this, or what remains of mankind will end up back in the Stone Age 2.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

theFu

Today 08:11 am JST

The US has already proven they can hit ICBMs during reentry using one of their anti-missile systems.

> The challenge will be for missiles that have changing trajectories and higher speeds than an ICBM has (which is hypersonic, BTW).

Ideally enemy missiles should be hit as early as possibl at a stage where they're as slow as possible.

Gives more time and more options.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

This should have been kept under wraps. There is no need to announce to the whole world that Japan is also involved.

Now all the cyber-lapdogs from ccp will be busy hacking JSDF computers to get any info on the GD.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Funneling Japan taxpayer money into US billionaires pocket ? No thanks.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

I say again: you can choose to spend trillions of dollars on a system that won't work or maybe a one time $100 billion on offensive missiles that do. That applies to both Japan and the US.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Any potential North Korean missile strike on North American targets would travel far to the north way outside of any Japanese anti-strike capability.

Ideally enemy missiles should be hit as early as possibl at a stage where they're as slow as possible.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

The only golden dome is that bird’s nest atop his empty head.

should know by now we can all ignore Trump. He’s a clown.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

The Demented Dimwit trying to copy Reagan...

But Reagan was a real conservative, not a fake one like Putin's Puppet...

9 ( +9 / -0 )

lincolnmanToday 03:59 pm JST

It's funny, the MAGAs seem to shut down when confronted about Reagan. They want to call him a RHINO globalist but can't quite get the words out of their mouths.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

deanzaZZR

Today 03:54 pm JST

Any potential North Korean missile strike on North American targets would travel far to the north way outside of any Japanese anti-strike capability.

> Ideally enemy missiles should be hit as early as possibl at a stage where they're as slow as possible.

That's why a new system is being developed

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Tell me more about these killer Japanese satellites.

That's why a new system is being developed

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

deanzaZZR

Today 04:46 pm JST

Tell me more about these killer Japanese satellites.

> That's why a new system is being developed

Haha what

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Why does America even need a Golden Dome? When was the last time the US was attacked? Where did the attack come from?

The Golden Dome would offer no defence against an attack like 911.

The greatest threat to American lives is probably the lack of affordable health care.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Japan will pay for whatever the ridiculous demands by Donald Trump. Japan is a vassal state and the LDP is the puppet regieme. There is no where you can find an easy ATM like this !

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

If Japan don't pay the bills for Golden dome, America will imply a 50% tariffs over Japanese import cars.

Right ?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Trump detractors: "Trump is a puppet to foreign dictators like Putin! He can't stand up to Xi Jinping or Kim Jong Un! Trump always chickens out! He can't defend American allies! Impeach Drumpf NOW!"

Trump: "Okay, here is a comprehensive defense plan that can more efficiently defend our allies from foreign threats, with definitive future-proofing via missile defense systems that have stood the test of time and have been proven to work."

Trump detractors: "... Russian stooge! Putin's puppet! IMPEACH BLOOMPF NOW!"

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I see a lot of posts here and I am willing to bet a lot of the people here never operated, or served in the military and have the slighted idea of how military systems and hardware work. All I am hearing is their tax money being wasted, there are many people who don't mind it, but when bombs fly they cry wolf when they have no defense.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Wow. The amount of incorrect though in the comments is pretty high.

The US isn't worried about NK missile nukes, not really. We are worried about Chinese and Russian hyper-velocity missiles that are ship launched from 150miles off shore.

I can imagine a nuclear bomb being detonated on the back of a truck in NYC. The only limiting factor are the limits of one's imagination.

Every port entering the US has radiation scanners, as do large cities, to detect nuclear devices. These trucks and scanners have been around for multiple decades, but what has changed is they are more precise. Europe has these scanners too.

Chemical/biological weapons are much harder to prevent and locate before it is too late. A few days ago, a CCP agent brought a dangerous bio-hazard into the US that could wipe out $billions in food crops. Makes me a bit concerned. https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-nationals-with-links-to-ccp-china-arrested-in-us-for-smuggling-biological-pathogen-fbi-director-kash-patel-calls-it-agroterrorism-1749001374673

Japan has expertise in many areas. Asking for them to partner with the US is smart. Technology transfer will go both ways. Japan needs missile defense just like the US does thanks to 3 rowdy neighbors. Win-Win for both the US and Japan.

While the US bases in Japan were initially there to prevent reversion post-WW2, that hasn't been any concern in 30+ yrs, probably longer. The reason for bases in Japan has more to do with the neighborhood than anything else. If American blood gets spilled, there's no doubt that the US will be part of any Japanese defense. None whatsoever. That's a win for Japan. The same applies to SK and the Philippines. Significant US blood on their land matters to Americans. Spill it ... and expect a full deployment and logistics support for any aggressor.

Of course, when it comes to Trump, "what have you done for me today" is the only relevant question, so any deal needs to be cautiously entered.

Israel would be a good partner too, if they could be trusted. Weapons systems sales in the last decade have shown that perhaps the IDF should not be trusted. Some of their modifications have leaked hyper-secret information to the dark-side enemies well before it was necessary. I don't blame Israel for what they did. It was in their best interest, but it also harmed nearly all of NATO and Japan partners with the leaks.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

”We’re going to build a beautiful big gold space dome, and the Martians are going to pay for it”

1 ( +1 / -0 )

wolfshineJune 4 09:51 pm JST

Trump: "Okay, here is a comprehensive defense plan that can more efficiently defend our allies from foreign threats, with definitive future-proofing via missile defense systems that have stood the test of time and have been proven to work."

Star Wars is none of these things but you are right about the total deceit that comes out of Trump's mouth.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The Golden Dome will be cancelled by 2029—after shoveling $100 billion into a hole that could have helped poor people with healthcare and food.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

For the most serious and deadly threat to American democracy....we don't need a "Gold Dome"....

We need a "Concrete Prison" for Trump and his band of fascists who are trying to dismantle our Constitution...

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Bob FosseJune 4  07:29 am JST

“which he wants to complete by the end of his term in 2029. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that Golden Dome could cost $831 billion over two decades.”

I think the latter is far more likely than the former. As should anybody.

You think this usurping Caligula is even going to 'step down' in 2029? He has repeatedly mentioned a 'third term' and don't be surprised if he makes himself President For Life.

You can't trust this liar for anything. Any foreign head of state trying to have diplomatic talk with this brat is just wasting their time.

And this 'Golden Dome' blizzblazz is a 'Golden Shower' and a joke. All that moolah is going to go his pockets to pay his legal costs, not to mention that Ego Parade he wants so damn bad on Flag Day this month.

Do NOT trust trump or believe anything he says!!!!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Israel would be a good partner too, if they could be trusted. Weapons systems sales in the last decade have shown that perhaps the IDF should not be trusted. Some of their modifications have leaked hyper-secret information to the dark-side enemies well before it was necessary. I don't blame Israel for what they did. It was in their best interest, but it also harmed nearly all of NATO and Japan partners with the leaks.

Those Chinese made Pakistan AF J-10 "Vigorous Dragon" fighters that gave the Indian Air Force a bit of a hiding recently would not exist were it not for significant Israeli help. It's similarity to the cancelled Lavi fighter is not coincidental. Israel has collaborated on many military projects with China but the Israelis taught the Chinese the control laws for the Lavi, which they were basically handed by General Dynamics who co-developed the Lavi with IAI, along with the fly by wire controls derived from the F-16 and an Israeli designed integrated helmet system. Israel developed many of the EW systems on that aircraft and you might notice the Python 3 missiles under the wing. Israel helped China establish a manufacturing plant for that missile in China.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Golden dome will be a massive surveillance system to keep its citizens in check.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Did they name it "Golden Dome" after Trumps hair transplant?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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