Japan Self-Defense Forces

China is ramping up its military actions and raising tensions in the Nansei Islands. Japan is bolstering its presence in response. Locals are caught in the middle.

For the 11th year in a row, the budget draft set a new record for national defense spending as Japan continues to pursue its Defense Buildup Program.

Tokyo wants long-range strike assets, but these demand the support of a robust intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance architecture.

Whatever the Kishida administration might want, there are still strong domestic constraints to the country taking part in any conflict in the Taiwan Strait.

Japan's defense build-up, including pursuit of a counter-strike capability, continues to require record-setting funds.

Defense diplomacy is the peacetime diplomatic activity of militaries aimed at maintaining and strengthening relations with allies and partners.

Public sentiment could seriously constrain Japan’s actions in a military conflict – for example, if China were to invade Taiwan.

The unfolding crisis in Sudan has drawn attention to Japan’s only overseas base – and some of the problems surrounding the installation.

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

The missiles, to be deployed on Aegis-equipped destroyers, will add to Japan’s counterstrike capability. 

For all the focus on rising budgets and offensive strike capabilities, a far more mundane concern is posing a dire threat to Japan’s security.

In the first half of 2022, Japan witnessed a 14 percent increase in scrambles triggered by foreign military aircraft approaches.

The Japan-U.S. alliance has made steady and incremental progress toward preparing for future crises and contingencies. More needs to be done.

It’s the first time China has fired ballistic missiles into Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

Japan’s defense spending plan shows how far the state has departed from postwar pacifism.

Is the war in Ukraine creating a Japanese Zeitenwende? It might be up to Prime Minister Kishida.

Tokyo is currently limited in its ability to respond. That needs to change.

Will Japan follow Germany’s suit in rethinking its approach to national security?

Amid growing threats in East Asia, the Japanese cabinet approved a record extra budget for defense appropriations.

Time for Japan’s political leaders to do their job.

It is difficult to imagine that Japanese leadership would not use offensive weapons if Tokyo believed an attack was imminent.

Regional tensions require a delicate compromise.

As Tokyo rearms, what are the politics of military power in Japan?

A reported plan to modify the Izumo-class will face obstacles at home and abroad.