Rubio says no ‘drama or division’ in US relations with Japan

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Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 11.

PHOTO: REUTERS

KUALA LUMPUR - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on July 11 played down concerns about relations with key US ally Japan, saying there is no “drama or division”, despite the Japanese prime minister speaking of the need for Tokyo to wean itself off US dependence.

In remarks to reporters, Mr 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.

Its 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 in June 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 in June 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