The nominee to be the Pentagon’s top Asia official has reiterated Washington’s demand that Japan further ramp up defense spending amid what it says are growing threats from China and North Korea.
“Japan has long underemphasized spending for its own defense, especially given the threats posed by China and the DPRK,” John Noh, U.S. President Donald Trump’s pick to be assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said in confirmation testimony presented to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.
“I believe Japan must build the capabilities necessary to enable a denial defense of its own archipelago and bolster collective defense in its region,” Noh added. “Japan must significantly increase investment in all categories to meet the threat posed by China and DPRK.”
