Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has warned of growing Chinese “coercion” and pledged a major overhaul of Japan’s defence strategy following her landslide lower house election victory last week.
Addressing parliament, Takaichi said Japan faces its “most severe and complex security environment since World War Two”, citing China’s military activity, closer China–Russia ties, and North Korea’s nuclear missile development.
“China has intensified its attempts to unilaterally change the status quo through force or coercion in the East China Sea and South China Sea,” she told lawmakers.
Key developments:
• Japan will revise its three core security documents and accelerate defence strategy reforms.
• Defence spending is set to reach 2% of GDP, continuing the military build-up launched in 2023.
• The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has proposed easing limits on military exports beyond non-lethal equipment.
• A national intelligence council and a Japan-style foreign investment screening mechanism are planned.
Takaichi also pledged to strengthen supply chains, secure rare earth resources near Minamitori island, and accelerate nuclear reactor restarts post-Fukushima.
ℹ️ Reuters
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