Trump’s abrupt halt of US-South Korea drills forces Japan to confront its lack of a Plan B
US President Donald Trump abruptly ordered a substantial reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his relationship with North Korea and costs. This move has shaken regional allies, particularly Japan, which relies heavily on US security guarantees. While South Korea faces immediate diplomatic fallout, Japan is now forced to confront the fragility of its own defense strategy, which has long relied on US protection rather than independent military capability.