American drones MQ-4C Triton, with a long range, held in Japan, after the warning that China's military expansion is “amazing”

The US Army will carry out long -range surveillance drones in the Japanese Okinawa region, located near Taiwan, Minister of the Japanese Minister of Defense, like Nakatani, according to France Prese.

The MQ-4C Titon drones will increase the information collection capabilities of the US-Japan defensive alliance, the Defense Minister of Tokyo said.

In recent years, Beijing has intensified the pressure on the self -government taiwan and has organized military exercises that analysts consider prelude to a possible future takeover of the island.

“The security environment around our country is becoming more and more difficult,” Nakatani told reporters.

He said that several Triton drones will reach the Kadena's main air island in the next few weeks “to strengthen the information, surveillance and recognition activities around Japan.”

About 54,000 American soldiers are stationed in Japan, most in Okinawa.

During the last 12 months, the Japanese army raised its fighter planes 30 times to intercept drones in the southern waters of the country, which are believed to come from China, the local press has previously reported.

This figure is much higher than the nine interceptions reported in fiscal year 2023 and than the four interceptions of fiscal year 2021, according to the Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun.

The MQ-4C drone is a “high altitude and endurance aircraft” that can operate for over 24 hours and can cover an action range of 7,400 nautical miles (13,700 kilometers), says the producer of this unmanned device, Northrop Grumman.

The Japanese army, which also has high altitude drones, intends to buy smaller attack drones, as part of a large effort to modernize national defense.

US President Donald Trump pressure on members of the NATO Alliance, mainly Europeans to increase their military expenses.

At the same time, Trump wants allies in the Asia-Pacific region to strengthen their armies to help confront with China and to isolate North Korea.

The head of NATO, Mark Rutte, described as “amazing” the expansion of Beijing's armed forces, while a visit to Japan began on Tuesday.

“Let's not be naive about China,” Rutte told Japan Times, in an interview published Monday.

“The increase in power of his armed forces, his investments in the defense industry and in his defense capabilities are amazing,” said NATO chief, referring to China.

NATO has tried in recent years to strengthen their ties with Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, inviting their leaders to participate in the organization's summits.