[Report] According to Reuters, despite Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s recent statement that Japan needs to break away from the United States in key areas, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken firmly insisted on the 11th local time that his relationship with Japan is “very solid and very good.”
Suga had previously stated (on the 10th) during a TV program that Japan “must get rid of its dependence on the United States and pursue independence” in areas such as security and energy.
After attending a regional meeting in Malaysia, Blinken responded to Suga’s remarks by stating that the US has a “very solid and very good relationship with Japan, which will not change,” adding, “Anyone who wants to create dramatic conflicts or divisions there… should not do so because the reality is, our relationship with Japan is very solid.”
Furthermore, Blinken denied reports about pressure being exerted on Japan by the US to significantly increase defense spending. He mentioned that although Washington “encourages” Tokyo to invest more in certain capabilities, this does not mean an “order.” “It’s more about what they can do than about the amount of money,” he said.
Trump announced that tariffs of 25% would be imposed on imports from Japan starting August 1. In response, Japanese analysts believe that if this tariff rate is implemented, it could severely impact the Japanese economy. During a street speech on the 9th, Suga expressed that the trade negotiations between the Japanese government and the US government are a battle “waging for national interests, how can one endure being undermined by the other side?”