Fact Check: Japan cancels US meeting over defense spending demands

Fact Check: Japan Cancels US Meeting Over Defense Spending Demands

What We Know

Japan has indeed canceled a high-level meeting with the United States, which was scheduled for July 1, 2025. This decision was reported by multiple sources, including Reuters and The Straits Times. The cancellation came after the Trump administration reportedly demanded that Japan increase its defense spending to 3.5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a rise from an earlier request of 3% (source-1). In addition, there were reports suggesting that the U.S. was pushing for a target as high as 5% for its Asian allies, including Japan (source-1).

The meeting was intended to be a "2+2" security dialogue involving U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alongside Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (source-1). However, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official indicated that Japan had never formally discussed these specific spending targets, which adds complexity to the situation (source-1).

Analysis

The cancellation of the meeting is significant as it reflects ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Japan regarding defense spending. The demand for increased military expenditure has been a contentious issue, especially under the Trump administration, which sought to pressure allies to contribute more to their defense budgets (source-6). The credibility of the reports is bolstered by multiple reputable news outlets, including Reuters and The Straits Times, which are known for their journalistic integrity.

However, it is important to note that while the U.S. officials confirmed the postponement of the talks, they did not specify the reasons for Japan's decision (source-1). This lack of clarity raises questions about the motivations behind the cancellation. The timing of the cancellation, just before Japan's Upper House election on July 20, 2025, suggests that domestic political considerations may also have played a role (source-1).

The Japanese government has historically maintained a cautious approach to defense spending, often citing constitutional constraints and public sentiment against militarization (source-1). Therefore, the demand for a significant increase in defense spending could be perceived as an infringement on Japan's sovereignty, which may have contributed to the decision to cancel the meeting.

Conclusion

The claim that Japan canceled a meeting with the U.S. over defense spending demands is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that the cancellation was directly linked to U.S. demands for increased defense spending, which Japan has not agreed to. The situation is further complicated by Japan's domestic political landscape and its historical stance on military expenditure.

Sources

1. Japan scraps US meeting after Washington demands more ...
2. japan-guide.com - Japan Travel and Living Guide
3. Travel Japan - Japan National Tourism Organization (Official Site)
4. Japan scraps US meeting after Washington demands more ...
5. JNTO - Official Tourism Guide for Japan Travel
6. U.S. Demands Japan Raise Defense Spending to 3.5 Pct ...
7. Japan scraps US meeting after Washington demands more ...