Pentagon considers halting plan to beef up U.S. forces in Japan: reports

Just like in EU, US troop counts will drop, only question is by how much and how soon?

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.

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.

American people voted for this president and after 4 years America will come back by saying sorry.

America first is America alone. Good riddance.

Good riddance.

Bye then. And lose our phone number.

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.

Bye then. And lose our phone number.

America will come crawling back with their tail between their legs in 4 years, again.

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.

Probably ended because Xi disapproves.

America will come crawling back with their tail between their legs in 4 years, again.

Again?

that’s not quite the way we arrived here.

TINC

Probably ended because Xi disapproves.

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?

It’s cute though when all the leftists say “muh 4 years!”, while knowing there won’t be a Democrat President again until at least 2037.

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.

TamaramaToday  05:19 pm JST

TINC

Probably ended because Xi disapproves.

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?

China's busy militarizing Cuba, South & Central America

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.

This is good, Japan needs less American troops not more.

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"

"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.

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.

Bye bye US bases!

Either pay your way or get out!

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.

@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.

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.

@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.

US support war fighting abroad that what it is.

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.

Meh. Japan will ask for the US to send more troops when China encroaches on fishing areas and becomes more aggressive in the region.

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.

American people voted for this president and after 4 years America will come back by saying sorry.

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.

To be America's enemy is dangerous, To be America's friend is fatal - Henry Kissinger

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.

BertieWoosterMar. 20  08:31 pm JST

Bye bye US bases!

Either pay your way or get out!

If we are paying 100% for them, we should be able to attack China with them in the event of a Taiwan crisis, no?

"we will not accept significant changes to our warfighting structure", more like war mongering structure, Congressmen.

Time to shut out and shut down these bases.

Translation: The US are going to want another billion from Japan in protection money.

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

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.

Now that’s an opinion completely separated from reality. The dems are in complete disarray, cannibalising themselves in a giant collective scream at the sky, no leader, no strategy, no clue. It’s a big old mess, and the soul searching and rethinking that should’ve happened after the election never did. Just keep doubling down guys and hope for the best. Hey, bring AOC to lead your party. Knock yourselves out. She wants it bad!

There are many Japanese who would like to see fewer American troops or zero.

Is that so Wallace? Have you asked them or is this also Chinese wishful thinking?

If that means that the U.S. military footprint in Japan is to be reduced significantly, we will certainly welcome it. But if the U.S. demands Japan increase its defense budget, that will countermand the U. S.'s supposed good intention.

If that means that the U.S. military footprint in Japan is to be reduced significantly, we will certainly welcome it. But if the U.S. demands Japan increase its defense budget more and buy more U.S.-made weapons, that will be a different story, that is to say, it will countermand the U.S.'s supposed good intention.

Peter14Mar. 20  05:54 pm JST

.. 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.

You never know with Trump......

"US suspends some efforts to counter Russian sabotage as Trump moves closer to Putin"

https://www.reuters.com/world/us-suspends-some-efforts-counter-russian-sabotage-trump-moves-closer-putin-2025-03-19/

"Trump Discussed Pulling U.S. From NATO, Aides Say Amid New Concerns Over Russia"

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/14/us/politics/nato-president-trump.html