It tripled and the US asked Japan to increase funding for US troops stationed in Japan.
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 13. The Japanese media cited sources who reported on the 13th that regarding the sharing of funds for the US military stationed in Japan beginning in fiscal year 2027, the US government is demanding that Japan increase the cost to more than 3 trillion yen (one dollar is equivalent to 160 yen from the previous amount), which is about three times the previous amount.
According to reports from multiple Japanese media outlets, including Kyodo News, Japan and the US began negotiations in Tokyo this summer to discuss the distribution of funds for the US military stationed in Japan within five years starting from fiscal year 2027 (April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2032). The two sides will hold additional consultations in the US and Japan respectively in October and are expected to enter the final phase next week. The two countries hope to reach an agreement within the year. According to sources, the US asked Japan to increase the cost to more than 3 trillion yen, which Japan said was "unacceptable".
The US military Japan funding sharing agreement is usually updated every five years. The current agreement states that Japan will shoulder approximately ¥1.055 trillion in funding for US troops stationed in Japan from fiscal years 2022 to 2026.
According to Japanese media, in the face of American pressure, local public opinion opposition, financial conditions and other factors, the Japanese government is considering response plans. Sources revealed that Japan is considering increasing its cost burden to about 1.5 trillion yen, which means it will have to share about 300 billion yen per fiscal year.
The Japanese government has allocated funds to the U.S. military stationed in Japan since 1978 to support the day-to-day operations of the U.S. military, including water, electricity, and gas base expenses, as well as facility maintenance and renovation.