The US nominee for ambassador to Japan has doubled down on Washington’s demand that Tokyo pay more for American troops based on its soil, indicating Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba may have to rethink his approach towards President Donald Trump on the matter.
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The comments by George Glass in his testimony to the Senate on Thursday came as little surprise in Tokyo, given the rapidly fading confidence of the Japanese people in Washington’s willingness to help in times of need.
An analyst pointed out that Glass “has just said the quiet parts out loud” at his confirmation hearing in Washington on Thursday, echoing demands that Trump came close to making in his previous term.
Critics say the US cannot be trusted to abide by its security treaty with Japan even if Tokyo were to pay more and that Japan needs to do more for its defence, including developing new alliances.
The loss in Japanese confidence has been linked to Trump threatening to invade Canada, Panama and Greenland and criticising Nato, indicating Washington may no longer commit to the long-standing transatlantic alliance.
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