TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi established a specialized committee on Monday to reassess the nation’s military and security strategies amid growing regional tensions from China, North Korea, and Russia’s expanded military activities.
The initiative represents part of Takaichi’s broader effort since taking office in October to fast-track Japan’s defense expansion as a counter-measure to regional security concerns. The prime minister contends that Japan must elevate its defense priorities to enhance military capabilities for better self-protection and endurance during extended, modern forms of conflict.
Just last week, Takaichi’s administration eliminated limitations on exporting Japanese deadly weaponry, a decision praised by the United States and allied defense partners as progress toward deeper military and industrial collaboration.
The policy shift faced opposition from domestic peace advocates and China, who view it as abandoning Japan’s post-war principle of defense-only military operations.
“The international situation has completely changed,” Takaichi stated during a meeting at her office. “The relatively stable post-Cold War international order has become a thing of the past.”
Japan must “learn the lesson” from Russia’s Ukraine invasion and the continuing Middle East conflict while adjusting to modern warfare methods, including drone technology, and preparing for extended conflicts, Takaichi explained.
“As the world enters an era of turbulence and Japan faces many challenges, the upcoming revision … is a crucial effort that affects Japan’s fate,” she declared.
The expert committee, comprising 15 specialists in foreign relations, defense, and economics, will examine security and defense strategies considering potential crisis situations. They will also evaluate defense budgets and financing before presenting their recommended modifications in the upcoming months.
Under current policies established in December 2022, Japan plans to increase defense expenditures to 2% of its gross domestic product – approximately 43 trillion yen ($270 billion) – by 2027.
Takaichi’s administration has already achieved this spending goal, and the panel is anticipated to consider potential additional military budget increases.
