Japan's prime minister vows military buildup and deeper ties with the US as regional tension rises

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, top right, attends an annual troop review at the Camp Asaka in the Tokyo suburbs Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. - AP

TOKYO (AP): Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba renewed a pledge on Saturday to build up his country’s military and deepen its alliance with the United States under President-elect Donald Trump.

Ishiba, who made the comments at an annual troop review held at Camp Asaka in the Tokyo suburbs, said the security environment surrounding Japan and the international community has significantly worsened due to escalating tensions with China, Russia and North Korea. He pledged to reinforce Japan’s military power.