Japan foreign minister says review of US troops is to ensure sustainable US military presence

October 2nd, 2009 US envoy: Tokyo has time to review troop planTOKYO — U.S. Ambassador John Roos said Friday that Washington views Tokyo as an equal partner and is willing to give Japan's new government time to review a plan to rework the deployment of American troops in the country.

September 25th, 2009 Japan launches probe of secret pacts with USTOKYO — Japan's new government launched an investigation Friday into whether previous administrations entered secret security pacts with Washington, including one said to endorse U.S. nuclear-armed ships despite a policy of barring such weapons.

September 24th, 2009 Philippines to review US military accordMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government will review a 10-year-old military agreement with the United States after Filipino senators called for its renegotiation or termination because it allegedly violates the constitution, officials said Thursday. The review will cover issues raised by Senate Foreign Relations Committee head Miriam Defensor Santiago against the Visiting Forces Agreement, foreign affairs spokesman Ed Malaya said.

September 23rd, 2009 Obama meets new Japanese leader for first timeNEW YORK — President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Wednesday that their countries' alliance will remain strong despite recent signals by the new Japanese leader that he is shifting away from Washington. The two did not address Hatoyama's plans to review the large U.S.

September 21st, 2009 US wants equal ties with new Japanese governmentNEW YORK — Eager to play down differences with a newly elected Japanese government, a State Department official said Monday the United States will not dictate policy to its longtime ally, even as it pushed for aspects of the countries' security alliance to remain the same. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, the top U.S.

September 21st, 2009 US wants equal ties with new Japanese govNEW YORK — The United States said Monday that it does not want to dictate policy to a new independent-minded Japanese government, even as it pushed for some aspects of the countries' security alliance to remain the same. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, the top U.S.

September 21st, 2009 US ties, climate change focus of Hatoyama's debutTOKYO — Just five days in office, Japan's prime minister left Monday for his debut on the world stage, where he is to meet with the leaders of the U.S., China and Russia and promote his ambitious plan to cut greenhouse gases in a speech at the U.N. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama was scheduled to hold talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao after arriving in New York late Monday, then attend a climate summit at the U.N.

September 20th, 2009 Japan may provide more aid to AfghanistanTOKYO — Tokyo is considering sending more financial aid to Afghanistan after its current naval refueling mission supporting the U.S.-led coalition ends next January, but has no intention of sending ground troops to the region, Japan's new foreign minister said Sunday. Japan has long been one of Washington's closest allies, but a new government that took power last week has said it wants to reframe its relations with the U.S.

September 18th, 2009 Japan, US agree to deepen allianceTOKYO — Japan's new foreign minister reassured the U.S. diplomat in charge of the Asia-Pacific region on Friday that Tokyo wants to strengthen bilateral relations despite potential areas of disagreement, including their long-standing military alliance.

September 18th, 2009 Hatoyama targets waste in budget, gets high pollsTOKYO — Japan's new prime minister ordered his Cabinet on Friday to freeze parts of a $154 billion stimulus package that his government believes are wasteful. Polls showed strong public support for the new, largely untested Cabinet installed by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who has promised to reinvigorate Japan's anemic economy and put families, not big business, at the center of his policies.

September 9th, 2009 Japan's next leaders form governing coalitionTOKYO — Japan's next ruling party agreed Wednesday to form a coalition with two smaller parties, one of which wants to move a U.S. Marine base off of Okinawa and review an agreement that stations 50,000 American forces in the country.

July 30th, 2009 Spain ready to boost Afghan troopsMADRID — Spain is prepared to boost its long-term troop presence in Afghanistan if conditions there require it, a Spanish official said Thursday. A government spokesman speaking on customary condition of anonymity said Spain's permanent presence could be elevated from 780 troops to 1,000 after elections in August.

July 28th, 2009 Election won't alter Japan-US alliance: CommanderTOKYO — The top commander for U.S. troops in Japan brushed off any possible doubts Tuesday about the durability of the U.S.-Japan security alliance, even if next month's parliamentary elections put a different party in power.

July 21st, 2009 Chavez objects to Colombia's base deal with USCARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is objecting to Colombia's decision to let the United States increase its military presence in the neighboring country. Chavez said Tuesday that Colombia's plan to accommodate more U.S.

June 12th, 2009 US commander vows to cut Afghan casualtiesLONDON — The commander of U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan has said he will review military strategy in an effort to reduce civilian casualties.