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Cheney Welcomes Japan’s Plan to Hike U.S. Forces Support

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United Press International

Defense Secretary Dick Cheney said Friday he was pleased at increases in Japan’s new defense budget for the support of U.S. forces stationed there.

In a statement issued at the Pentagon while he is vacationing in Wyoming, Cheney said he welcomed the announcement of Japan’s 1990 draft budget and was encouraged at the decision to fund the final year of the current Japanese defense plan.

He said the completion of the current plan, combined with anticipated improvements in the next defense plan, demonstrate Japanese resolve to continue efforts to strengthen Japan’s defense.

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The draft Japanese defense budget equals about $30.6 billion, a 5% real increase from the 1989 level.

The proposed budget allocates $1.2 billion for U.S. facilities and labor costs in support of U.S. forces in Japan, an increase of 12% in facilities construction spending and an increase of 27.5% in labor cost sharing over the previous year.

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