Trump is said to want Japan to increase its financial contribution to U.S. forces stationed in the country to $ 8 billion.

Under the deal, which lasts until March 2021, Japan must pay an annual fee of $ 2 billion for the presence of 54,000 American soldiers on its territory. However, President Donald Trump wants to quadruple this financial contribution, Foreign Policy quoted three former defense officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity on November 15.

Japan is not the only ally in Asia to be asked by the US to pay for a military presence. Defense Minister Mark Esper said South Korea could afford and should spend an additional $ 4.7 billion for the US to deploy its garrison force there, up many times from the current $ 1 billion.

Former U.S. officials said the request was made for Japan during John Bolton's July trip, when it was Trump's national security adviser, and Matt Pottinger, then Asia director. of the US National Security Council.

However, a spokesman for the Japanese Foreign Ministry said the information provided by Foreign Policy was incorrect and they had no talks with the US about the new agreement. US government representatives did not immediately comment.

The US is seeking to force allies around the world to increase defense costs and share the financial burden. Trump repeatedly criticized European allies for failing to budget enough for the military, prompting NATO member states in Europe and Canada to spend an additional $ 100 billion on defense budgets by 2020.

Trump is now turning his attention to the Asia-Pacific region as China is modernizing its military and North Korea is strengthening its defense capabilities. South Korea and Japan have to pay the United States billions of dollars to maintain their garrison forces, mostly under bilateral agreements negotiated every five years.