Review of strategic documents ahead of Trump visit coming soon
A general review of defense strategic documents in Japan is already underway, awaiting the nomination of conservative leader Sanae Takaichi, who is in favor of a more militarily autonomous and assertive nation.
This was anticipated by the Kyodo agency, which cites government sources, according to which the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party and prime minister in pectore is preparing to order a review of key documents on national security immediately after the appointment expected today.
The objective would be clear: to further increase defense spending in an increasingly unstable geopolitical context.
According to analysts, Takaichi – who is set to become the first woman to lead a government in Japan – intends to take the opportunity of US President Donald Trump’s visit, scheduled for next week, to underline Tokyo’s commitment to aligning itself with Washington’s demands for a greater contribution to regional security. The move comes as the LDP is preparing to govern with the support of Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), after breaking with its historic minority ally Komeito, a centrist force of Buddhist inspiration, thus laying the foundations for a new strategic agenda.
The documents under review date back to 2022 and had already marked a historic turning point in the defense policy of Japan, traditionally bound to a pacifist Constitution. They envisaged a progressive doubling of military spending, to be brought to around 2% of GDP by 2027.
Takaichi, however, is aiming even higher: in a recent statement published on his official website, he said that the 2% threshold will be “inevitably exceeded” to address “the growing threats in the Asia-Pacific region”. To support the increase in defense funds, the executive is considering a tax increase in three areas: corporate taxes, income taxes and tobacco taxes. A move that could trigger a heated internal debate, but which reflects a government line based on national security as a strategic priority. The probable prime minister – a member of the conservative wing of the LDP – is close to revisionist currents that tend to minimize or reinterpret Japan’s responsibilities during the Second World War. He has repeatedly visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japan’s militarist past, and has expressed views that challenge some established narratives about Japanese war crimes, such as the “comfort women” issue. As part of the current defense strategy, to counter Beijing’s expansionism – which the White House sees as a threat to its hegemony, Tokyo is ready to spend around 10,000 billion yen (61.6 billion euros) per year, making it the third country in the world for military spending after the United States and China.
