Japan worried by US cancelling joint manoeuvres

US military drills with South Korea, cancelled by President Donald Trump, and Washington’s troop presence in that country are crucial for regional security, Japan said yesterday.

“The drills and the US military stationed in South Korea play a vital role in East Asia’s security,” Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said. “I hope to share this recognition between Japan and the US, or among Japan, US and South Korea.”

Mr Trump surprised observers on Tuesday after meeting North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un by saying that regular joint US-South Korea military exercises would be halted as the US works on a deal with Pyongyang.

Mr Trump also said that “at some point” he wanted to withdraw US troops from South Korea.

Security analysts claimed that a reduction in the US presence in East Asia would alter the balance of power as China builds its forces.

Mr Onodera said Japan’s policy remained unchanged after the Singapore summit.

He said that Japan wanted concrete action from the North over its nuclear ambitions, and on the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by Pyongyang decades ago.

Also yesterday, Japan said it was ready to help shoulder some of the initial costs of North Korea’s denuclearisation only after the International Atomic Energy Agency restarted inspections.