10 November 2016, 12:29 GMT
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Japan is paying sufficient sums to cover the costs of the US forces’ deployment in the country, Defense Minister Tomomi Inada said Friday, amid concerns US President-elect Donald Trump could demand an increase in Japan's military spending after his inauguration.
"I believe it is enough. We are bearing the costs of what we ought to pay at present," Inada said, as quoted by the Kyodo news agency.
Tokyo has been paying 200 billion yen ($1.9 billion) per year for the US military protection as part of NATO cooperation.
Trump, who won an unexpected victory in the presidential vote on Tuesday, during his election campaign has pledged to make countries such as Japan, Germany and South Korea pay for their alliance with the United States and their protection by the US troops present on their territories.
Trump’s inauguration is due on January 20.
