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Use Trump as the bogeyman to confront Japan’s defence taboos
The President’s criticism of the US security treaty with Japan is the perfect cover that Tokyo needs to shake off its outdated attitudes about defence.
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US President Donald Trump (right) and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba holding a joint press conference at the White House on Feb 7.
PHOTO: AFP
Gearoid Reidy
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US President Donald Trump caused a stir in Tokyo last week with comments criticising the unequal nature of his country’s security treaty with Japan.
“The US is obligated to defend Japan, while Japan provides bases to the US. The time has come to change this asymmetrical bilateral treaty.”
