A US media outlet reports that the Pentagon is considering halting the expansion of US military stationed in Japan, as the administration of US President Donald Trump moves to shrink the federal government.
CNN carried the report on Wednesday, citing a US defense official and a briefing document it had obtained.
The document said stopping the planned expansion of US Forces Japan could save about 1.1 billion dollars, but could also create "political risk" for the US in Japan and reduce the scope of command and control in the Pacific.
The US has been planning to reconstitute its forces in Japan as a joint force headquarters, to enable better coordination with Japan's Self-Defense Forces.
The Trump administration is reviewing the organization and structure of the federal government, with options including scaling down or dismantling agencies and departments.
The US Department of Defense has indicated that it will work to make improvements in cooperation with the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. The organization headed by Elon Musk is tasked with finding ways to reduce government spending.
CNN reports that measures being considered by the defense department also include merging the military commands for Europe and Africa into a single command.
Another option mentioned in the report is eliminating a directorate that oversees development, training and education for the joint force.
Pentagon may cancel plans to expand US military in Japan, US media reports – nhk.or.jp
