Japan Withdraws from U.S. Defense Talks Amid Spending Dispute

Japan has canceled a high-level defense meeting with the United States following U.S. demands to increase its defense spending, as reported by the Financial Times. The decision comes amid ongoing U.S.-Japan trade talks and ahead of Japan's upper house elections. Neither side has officially commented.

The Financial Times reported that Japan has canceled its annual high-level defense meeting with the United States after the Trump administration's demand for increased defense spending. The U.S. had requested Japan boost its defense budget to 3.5% of GDP, sparking tensions between the two nations.

Scheduled talks between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth with Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani on July 1 have been scrapped. The decision coincides with broader U.S. requests for Asian allies to elevate their defense budgets to 5% of GDP.

Unnamed sources suggest the move is related to both internal Japanese political timelines and broader U.S.-Japan trade discussions. The U.S. has not officially commented. Japan is balancing its international defense commitments against domestic political pressures, including its forthcoming July 20 upper house elections.