Japan has published the digest edition of its 2026 Defence of Japan white paper, outlining its assessment of the regional security environment and the government’s plans to strengthen national defence capabilities.
In a foreword, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Japan faces its most severe and complex security environment since the Second World War, highlighting the importance of reinforcing defence while deepening cooperation with allies and partners.
Key developments include:
- Japan plans to revise its Three Strategic Documents during 2026 while maintaining defence spending at around 2% of GDP.
- The report identifies China, North Korea and Russia as major security concerns in the Indo-Pacific.
- Greater emphasis is placed on unmanned systems, cyber defence, artificial intelligence and defence technology to modernise the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).
The digest also highlights continued support for the Japan–US alliance, expanded defence cooperation with like-minded partners and measures to strengthen Japan’s domestic defence industry.
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