Rubio says no 'drama or division' in US relations with Japan

Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrive for a meeting with South Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoonjoo (not pictured) on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 11, 2025. MANDEL NGAN/Pool via REUTERS

(Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday played down concerns about relations with key U.S. ally Japan, saying there is no "drama or division," despite the Japanese prime minister speaking of the need for Tokyo to wean itself off U.S. dependence.

In remarks to reporters, Rubio also disputed reports of U.S. pressure on Japan to significantly increase its defense spending, saying that while Washington was "encouraging" Tokyo to invest in certain capabilities, this did not amount to a "demand."