US focus on Iran may impact Asia, Japan’s ex-defence Chief says

A channeling of US resources into the conflict ravaging the Middle East could cause an imbalance in the current security environment surrounding Japan, renewing the need for the country to strengthen its defense capabilities, according to Japan’s former Defense Minister Gen Nakatani. “In particular, the transfer of equipment or a shift in the focus and priorities of US forces could become factors that destabilize the balance of power around Japan,” Nakatani said in an interview Tuesday. “Japan must ensure that such developments do not lead to unforeseen contingencies. We need to address this by maintaining and strengthening our own deterrence…