Japan puts ‘too much burden’ on U.S. for security, former defense minister Kono says

Japan has relied too heavily on the U.S. for security, according to Taro Kono, Japan’s former defense minister, as concerns grow that Washington may scale back its global military role.

“I think we have put too much burden on the United States,” Kono, who also previously served as foreign minister, told CNBC’s Emily Tan on “The China Connection.”

‘Now, Japan, Korea, Australia, the Philippines, Singapore — we need to shoulder more burden on our shoulders to keep the peace and stability in the region,” he added.

His remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington is reviewing the possibility of a troop reduction in Germany, in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday.

Japan hosts about 55,000 U.S. troops, the largest American military presence overseas. The U.S. also has about 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea, while around 35,000 are stationed in Germany.

Kono, who is currently a member of Japan’s Lower House, added that few countries can defend themselves independently, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

“No country, except maybe U.S., China, Russia can defend itself alone,” he said.

As such, he said countries in Asia should take on greater responsibility for regional stability, especially as the U.S. reassesses its overseas commitments.

“We definitely need to create some kind of collective defense scheme in addition to U.S.-Japan Security Treaty. So we are looking at countries like the Philippines, Australia and maybe NATO after Ukraine.”

Japan has recently taken steps to expand its defense posture, including lifting its ban on lethal arms exports and mulling changes to Article 9 of its constitution, which renounces war and the maintenance of armed forces.

The country had also most recently concluded its first export warship deal with the Royal Australian Navy.

When asked how Tokyo will address concerns about its remilitarization from its neighbors, Kono said Japan has no intention of initiating conflict after decades of peace.

Japan’s wartime actions in World War II have continued to shape perceptions in the region.

“It’s quite obvious after 80 years of peace in the region, Japan has no intention to invade any other country or create some kind of conflict in the region,” Kono said.

However, he said Tokyo must remain prepared amid China’s growing military presence, citing Chinese incursions near disputed islands in the East China Sea, known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan and Diaoyu Islands in China.

Relations between Beijing and Tokyo had chilled markedly following remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last year that any Chinese attempt to seize Taiwan by force could trigger the intervention of Japan’s Self Defense Forces, prompting a fiery backlash from Beijing.