Trump's spot-on in raising Japan, S Korea defence issue

Tokyo

DONALD Trump has been accused of being (among other things) immature in some of his public utterances. Yet, the issues he raised over the ability of Japan and South Korea to defend themselves are more "child-like" or ingenuous than childish - and they deserve to be raised.

Mr Trump suggested that Japan and South Korea should arm themselves to deter a threat from North Korea rather than have the US military protect them against the so-called "rogue nuclear nation". "Frankly, the case could be made that let them protect themselves against North Korea. If they fight, that would be terrible. But if they do, they do."