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.