Japan grows uneasy as Trump orders scale-back of US-South Korea drills, citing 'great relationship' with Kim Jong-un

Japanese media reported Monday that the country is closely watching the fallout from President Donald Trump's decision to scale back US-South Korea combined military exercises, with officials expressing concern that the move could weaken deterrence against North Korea.

Kyodo News cited a senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official who said "the unity of Japan, the United States and South Korea will not waver," while also noting that the official expressed clear concern about a potential weakening of deterrence against the North.

The official said that with North Korea continuing to advance its nuclear and missile capabilities and deepening military cooperation with Russia, "we must not weaken our ability to counter the threat."

Trump announced Sunday on his Truth Social platform that he had ordered a reduction in the scale of the US-South Korea combined exercises, adding that he has "a very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Trump also said the combined exercises are costly and that the United States bears most of the expense.

Within the Japanese government, some officials view Trump's remarks as part of a broader effort to cut overseas defense spending, given his longstanding push for allies to increase their burden-sharing contributions and his repeated criticism of the high cost of such exercises.

On the prospect of improved US-North Korea relations, an official from the Japanese government's headquarters on the abduction issue told Kyodo News that progress would be difficult to expect, saying Washington did not appear to have "a trump card for resuming negotiations."

Trump's announcement drew immediate attention in Japan, with media outlets breaking the news as it emerged and focusing on the potential impact the drill reduction could have on the security landscape in Northeast Asia and on deterrence against North Korea.