“U.S. Considers Reducing its Troops in Japan”

U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Howard Baker, in discussing the issue of repositioning the overseas U.S. troops on December 4, said, “It is no wonder that the United States will reduce its troops in Okinawa and in other cities.”

Baker made the speech while addressing the Foreign Press Association, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun. His statement made it clear that the U.S. is considering reducing its 40,000 troops stationed in Japan.

However, he didn’t mention the number of stationary troops to be reduced. Baker also called North Korea “a politically unstable nuclear state” and added, “I don’t welcome unexpected events.”

Hun-Joo Cho hanscho@donga.com