Japan to tell Trump it will strengthen military and upgrade security strategy

Japans new foreign minister said Wednesday his country plans to show its determination to further build up its defence to rapidly adapt to changing warfare realities and growing tension in the region when US President Donald Trump visits Tokyo next weekTrump is expected to hold talks next Tuesday with Japans Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi who took office Tuesday after being elected as Japans first female leaderTakaichi who had spent much of past few weeks embroiled in internal political wrangling has to face major diplomatic tests within days of taking office Trump and two regional summitsWe are firmly preparing for President Trumps visit Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi saidMotegi said he hoped Trumps first meeting with Takaichi during his Oct 2729 visit would serve as an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss further strengthening of the JapanUS alliance while fostering their personal relationship of trustHe said Japan also hopes to further cooperate with South Korea along with other regional partners including Australia and the Philippines while seeking stable and constructive relations with ChinaJapan is currently undergoing a fiveyear military buildup through 2027 as part of its national security strategy including doubling its annual defense spending to 237 of gross domestic productThe strategy that promotes Japans strikeback capability with longrange missiles marks a major break from Japans defenseonly principle under its postwar pacifist constitutionThe ruling partys alliance with the rightwing Japan Innovation Party that replaces the dovish centrist Komeito party has raised concern that a revised strategy may involve further offensive roles for Japan under Takaichi a security hawkMotegi said Japans further strengthening of its military capability is essential in order to adapt to emerging new warfare such as drone swarms in the war against Ukraine as well as responses to cyberattacksWhile firmly pursuing the ongoing fiveyear military buildup the government will also review it and we hope to firmly convey our plans to the US side Motegi saidJapan is expected to face tough demands from Trump to further increase its defense spending to NATO levels of 537 of GDP more purchases of costly American arsenals and additional spending for some 50000 US troops in Japan under the bilateral security pactOur national defence should be based on our own independent decision Motegi said Whats important is not the amount or the GDP ratio but whats in itHe also said he hopes to meet with his counterpart Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the earliest time possible to discuss further strengthening of the deterrence and response capability of the JapanUS allianceMotegi returns to the post for the second time after serving in 20192021 during Trumps first term when he earned a reputation as a tough negotiator He is also tasked with following up on the JapanUS tariffs agreementHe said he hoped to work toward sincere and steady implementation of the agreement to promote and ensure mutual benefits economic security and growthThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever