OMM Newsroom
The administration of US President Donald Trump has asked Japan to nearly triple its contribution to the cost of hosting American troops, seeking more than 3 trillion yen ($19 billion) over five years starting in fiscal 2027, local media reported Friday, according to Anadolu Agency.
Tokyo is considering a counteroffer of about 1.5 trillion yen ($9.5 billion), citing difficulties in meeting Washington’s demand, Kyodo News reported, citing diplomatic sources familiar with the negotiations.
“While 3 trillion yen over five years would be difficult to accept, there is a possibility to pay around 1.5 trillion yen,” one diplomatic source said.
The proposed agreement would cover fiscal 2027 through 2031 and replace the current five-year arrangement, worth 1.06 trillion yen ($6.7 billion), which expires next March.
Negotiations began in Tokyo this summer, with another round expected next week. The two governments are seeking to reach an agreement before the end of the year.
The proposed package could include annual spending of more than 300 billion yen to strengthen US military facilities against potential attacks. Japan is considering measures such as moving base functions underground and reinforcing structures against explosions and electromagnetic attacks, the report said.
Trump also pressed Tokyo to shoulder a larger share of American military costs during his first term as president.
Japan, one of Washington’s oldest military allies in the Asia-Pacific region, hosts more than 50,000 US military personnel, as well as extensive American bases and military assets.
