Japan defense policy

The ruling LDP is striving to ease weapon export rules, with Ukraine in mind, but faces pushback from its junior coalition partner. 

A government poll found that interest in Japan’s security environment – and support for its defense force – is higher than ever.

The rise of alternative military partners means that the U.S. doesn’t need to press New Delhi to align with it on sensitive geopolitical issues or against China or Russia.

Japan has set out on its most ambitious defense build-up program since the end of World War II.

Japan and Germany rediscovered their geopolitical voice in 2022, making parallel efforts to develop more assertive national security postures. 

The long-debated move comes alongside increased defense spending amid worries about Japan's security environment.

The LDP and its junior coalition party, Komeito, are at odds over issues like Japan's counterstrike capability and defense budget increases.

The LDP hosts a “constant struggle between people who favor more moderate patriotism and versus those favoring a more extreme nationalism. We see this not only in the LDP but within Abe himself.”

Japan’s defense minister hosted NATO officials this week, pledging more joint exercises and military cooperation.

Insights from Jeffrey Hornung.

The proposal, which stretches the limits of Japan's defense-oriented security policy, will inform the government’s long-term National Security Strategy.