Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her fist as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks aboard USS George Washington on October 28, 2025 in Yokosuka, Japan.
Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images
Japan is in the middle of the most consequential shift in security policy since the creation of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in 1954.
The country has not abandoned its pacifist constitution, but it is moving from a narrowly defensive posture toward one capable of deterrence through a more robust response, including long-range strike capabilities, sustained operations, and much closer integration with allies. This course correction did not start with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who will only complete her first year in office in October, but began a good 10 years earlier under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. A series of subsequent governments each moved in the same direction. The major steps include:
1. Doubling Defense Spending
The centerpiece of the program is increasing defense spending from the informal postwar ceiling of roughly 1% of GDP to about 2%—closer to the NATO average. The defense buildup plan approved in 2022 committed approximately ¥43 trillion over five years, and subsequent governments have accelerated its implementation.
2. Acquiring Long-Range “Counterstrike” Missiles
For decades, Japan focused almost entirely on homeland defense. Now Japan is purchasing U.S. Tomahawk missiles, extending the range of its indigenous Type-12 missile, and developing longer-range strike systems capable of hitting military targets far from Japan. This is perhaps the biggest doctrinal change in Japanese defense policy since 1945.
3. Strengthening Missile Defense
Japan has invested heavily in advanced air-defense systems, ballistic missile defense against North Korean threats, new Aegis-equipped destroyers, and integrated missile-defense networks.
4. Expanding Drone and Unmanned Capabilities
Japan lags considerably behind China when it comes to drones, but it is working to close the gap. Recent budgets place major emphasis on reconnaissance drones, unmanned maritime systems, drone-defense technologies, and autonomous systems for operations around the East China Sea and Taiwan region.
5. Upgrading Air Power
Japan is purchasing additional F-35 fighters and converting two ships into light aircraft carriers capable of operating them. Interestingly, Japan has also signed up for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with the U.K. and Italy to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft.
6. Reinforcing the Southwest Islands
Japan has deployed missiles, radar systems, air-defense units, and amphibious forces on islands stretching toward Taiwan, including Okinawa and the Ryukyu chain. The objective is to complicate any Chinese military operation in the region.
Takaichi Passes the Job Interview
If the final guarantor of Japan’s security is the United States’ commitment, then the ultimate job interview for a Japanese Prime Minister is to ensure that commitment. The above defense moves allow Japan to demonstrate its seriousness to the U.S. and make it that much more likely that the U.S. maintains its obligations. It is unlikely others will take a country seriously if it does not take itself seriously. Japan has made its point: We live in an uncertain world, and every country must do its part to provide for its defense, in addition to finding better ways of working with allies. So far, it looks like PM Takaichi has passed the job interview as Donald Trump has offered repeated criticisms of the U.S.’s European allies but has developed a much more positive and respectful relationship with Japan.