Rubio says no 'drama or division' in US relations with Japan, World News
In remarks to reporters, Rubio also disputed reports of US pressure on Japan to significantly increase its defence spending, saying that while Washington was "encouraging" Tokyo to invest in certain capabilities, this did not amount to a "demand."
"It's less to do with the amount of money and more to do about certain things they can do," he said after attending a regional meeting in Malaysia.
Japanese media reported last month that the Trump administration was demanding that Japan and other Asian allies boost defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP in line with demands on Nato members.
A Financial Times report last month said Japan cancelled an annual defence and foreign ministers meeting with the US after it called on Tokyo to boost defence spending beyond what it requested earlier.
President Donald Trump further upset Japan this week by announcing a 25 per cent tariff on Japanese imports starting Aug 1 as part of his global tariff strategy.
On Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Japan needed to wean itself from US dependence in security, food, and energy.
Asked about Ishiba's remarks, Rubio said the United States has "a very strong and very good relationship with Japan, and that's not going to change."
"Anyone who's looking for, like, drama or division there ... shouldn't be doing it because the truth of the matter is our relationship with Japan is very solid."
He said Ishiba's comment should not be viewed negatively.
[[nid:720006]]
"The idea that Japan's military would become more capable is not something we would be offended by; it's something we would actually be encouraged by," he said.
Christopher Johnstone, a former Biden White House official now with the Asia Group consultancy, said trade frictions, pressure on defence spending, and uncertainty about US defence commitments meant US-Japan tensions were probably at their worst in a generation, but reducing Tokyo's reliance on the US was easier said than done.
"If the two countries reach a trade agreement by Aug 1, it could fade," he said. "But Ishiba's comments reflect sentiment that is real and widespread."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Relief for Wales as win over Japan brings losing streak to an end
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Welsh relief greeted the end of their record losing streak when Saturday's 31-22 victory over Japan spared them the ignominy of going down as the worst side in test rugby. Wales held on for a narrow and nervy triumph in Kobe to level the two-test series and finally post a win after a streak of 18 successive defeats. Again they had a handy halftime lead over their Japanese hosts but, unlike in last week's first loss in Kitakyushu, this time they managed to hold on and claim success. "We were braver than last week. Last week we got in front and we probably tried to hold on to a lead,' said Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt, who was in tears at the end of the encounter. "When you have not won a game for a period of time, you start to get edgy, so the messaging this week was to be braver.' Wales captain Dewi Lake added: "It wasn't pretty but it's an important landmark for us today, to get that first win back on the board." Had Wales lost they would have set a record losing streak for a Tier One side, surpassing the sequence of France between 1911 and 1920. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Air India crash report shows pilot confusion over engine switch movement Singapore More NSFs may be recruited to tackle scams: Police Singapore $3 cashback for hawker centre meals and shopping at heartland stores with DBS PayLah initiative Singapore 40% more sign-ups to programmes for adult learners at institutes of higher learning in last 5 years Singapore Wegovy, injectable drug used to treat obesity, now available via prescription in Singapore Business NTT DC Reit's Singapore public offer 9.8 times oversubscribed Multimedia Which floor is this? Chongqing's maze-like environment powers its rise as a megacity Singapore Over 20 motorists caught offering illegal ride-hailing services at Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay Saturday's win was their first test victory in 644 days, since beating Georgia in Nantes in the last of their group matches at the 2023 World Cup in France. The losing run has seen Wales slip to a low of 12th in the World Rugby rankings. Sherratt thanked long-suffering fans, adding: 'Even during the Six Nations, I know it's been a hard time to support Wales. I hope you can enjoy tonight because we are certainly going to enjoy the next 24 hours. 'It's emotional, there's a reason why I've done it again. I'm so pleased for the lads.' Englishman Sherratt , who is the Cardiff coach, agreed to stay on for the two matches in Japan after taking over on a caretaker basis during the Six Nations when Warren Gatland left. Wales will now turn to appointing a permanent coach as they look to the November internationals when they host Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa at the Principality Stadium in back-to-back matches. REUTERS
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
NTT DC Reit's Singapore public offer 9.8 times oversubscribed
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox NTT DC Reit is aiming to raise gross proceeds of US$773 million from the Singapore IPO. SINGAPORE - The manager of NTT DC Reit (real estate investment trust) said the public tranche of its Singapore initial public offer (IPO) was about 9.8 times oversubscribed. Based on the 30 million units available to the public for subscription, there were 14,166 valid applications for an aggregate of 294.8 million units, the manager said in a bourse filing on July 11. It received application monies totalling around $376.2 million. Overall, based on the 599.9 million units available for subscription under the offering, including 569.9 million units offered to international investors, it was around 4.6 times oversubscribed. The international placement was US$1 per unit, while the Singapore public offer was at S$1.276 per unit. Merrill Lynch (Singapore), which is a stabilising manager on behalf of the joint bookrunners of the IPO, has over-allotted an extra 51.5 million units. NTT DC Reit is aiming to raise gross proceeds of US$773 million from the Singapore IPO. The listing is the biggest of a Singapore Reit in more than a decade. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Air India crash report shows pilot confusion over engine switch movement Singapore More NSFs may be recruited to tackle scams: Police Singapore $3 cashback for hawker centre meals and shopping at heartland stores with DBS PayLah initiative Singapore 40% more sign-ups to programmes for adult learners at institutes of higher learning in last 5 years Singapore Exhibition marking The Straits Times' 180th anniversary opens on July 12 at Jewel Changi Multimedia Which floor is this? Chongqing's maze-like environment powers its rise as a megacity Singapore Over 20 motorists caught offering illegal ride-hailing services at Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay Life SG60 F&B icons: 20 dishes and drinks which have shaped Singaporeans' taste buds Concurrent with but separate from the offering, a group of cornerstone investors will subscribe to over 172 million units in total, representing 16.8 per cent of all units. These include GIC, which is subscribing to more than 100 million units that make up 9.8 per cent of the total units in issue after the offering. Immediately after the listing, GIC will be a substantial unit holder – becoming the second-largest investor in NTT DC Reit after its sponsor.
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
China's Chery denies improper subsidy declarations
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A government audit disqualified declarations by Chinese carmakers Chery and BYD for a combined S$67.8 million in government subsidies. SHANGHAI - Chinese automaker Chery on July 12 denied assertions that it had improperly claimed government subsidies for environmentally friendly vehicles. An audit by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology disqualified declarations by Chery and BYD for a combined US$53 million (S$67.8 million) in government subsidies for thousands of vehicles sold in the five years to 2020, accounting for nearly 60 per cent of such improper claims. Chery denied its declarations were improper. It said in a statement it had previously consulted the authorities about the challenges of missing receipts because the cars were sold more than five years ago and that the government had advised the company to declare the cars for the ministry to determine if they should be qualified. 'Our company has truthfully reported to the authorities we did not collect certificates for end sales; there's no fraudulent act,' Chery said in the statement. The government's assertions do not include allegations of fraud. EV maker BYD did not respond to requests for comment. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Air India crash report shows pilot confusion over engine switch movement Singapore More NSFs may be recruited to tackle scams: Police Singapore $3 cashback for hawker centre meals and shopping at heartland stores with DBS PayLah initiative Singapore 40% more sign-ups to programmes for adult learners at institutes of higher learning in last 5 years Singapore Exhibition marking The Straits Times' 180th anniversary opens on July 12 at Jewel Changi Multimedia Which floor is this? Chongqing's maze-like environment powers its rise as a megacity Singapore Over 20 motorists caught offering illegal ride-hailing services at Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay Life SG60 F&B icons: 20 dishes and drinks which have shaped Singaporeans' taste buds The audit, initiated earlier this year to verify subsidy applications over the five-year period, disqualified 21,725 vehicles for subsidies as it found discrepancies such as failure to submit required supporting documents or to meet the mandated mileage thresholds, according to the documents published by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in June. Chery had 7,663 vehicles disqualified - 19 for mileage thresholds and 7,643 for not providing certificates. The audit documents did not lay out any penalties or mention reimbursement. The government has previously said automakers will have to repay subsidies for vehicles found not to have met mileage requirements. Chery said the audit covered declarations for subsidies that were not prepaid and thus automakers did not need to repay. REUTERS
