A majority of the Japanese public favors the US military presence on the island, according to an annual US Embassy poll. Stars and Stripes reports that 80 percent of respondents said they favor or somewhat favor maintaining the security alliance with the US, marking the fourth consecutive year that opinion has increased. The poll also showed that a Japanese majority believe the US military presence in East Asia is important and that US bases in Japan are important.
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…