Mainichi wrote that in response to Donald Trump’s call for Japan to pay more for hosting U.S. forces, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga stated at a news conference on Monday that Japan is shouldering an appropriate amount. Suga was quoted as saying that the U.S.-Japan alliance benefits both parties and that the two nations have been discussing appropriate cost sharing. Yomiuri ran a similar report, interpreting Suga’s remarks as an expression of displeasure over Trump’s assertions.