TOKYO (AP) 鈥� ‘s prime minister inaugurated a panel on Monday tasked with reviewing her country’s security and defense policies as , North Korea and Russia ramping up their military footprint in the region.
It’s part of a push by , who took office in October, to accelerate as a deterrence against regional threats. She argues that Japan needs to prioritize its defense strategy to further strengthen its military capability to better protect itself and survive prolonged, new forms of warfare.
Last week, Takaichi’s Cabinet scrapped restrictions on , a move welcomed by the United States and other defense partners as a step to deepen their military and industry cooperation.
However, it was criticized by pacifists at home and China for deviating from Japan鈥檚 postwar self-defense only principle.
鈥淭he international situation has completely changed,” Takaichi told a meeting at her office. “The relatively stable post-Cold War international order has become a thing of the past.鈥�
Japan needs to 鈥渓earn the lesson鈥� from and the ongoing war in and adapt to new forms of warfare, including the use of drones, and be prepared for a long-term conflict, Takaichi said.
鈥淎s the world enters an era of turbulence and Japan faces many challenges, the upcoming revision … is a crucial effort that affects Japan’s fate,” she said.
The 15-member panel of experts in diplomacy, defense and economy will review security and defense policies in light of possible emergency scenarios, and also look at the defense budget and funding before compiling their recommendations for changes in the coming months.
According to existing , Japan aims to double its defense spending to 2% of the country鈥檚 gross domestic product 鈥� an amount of about 43 trillion yen ($270 billion) 鈥� through 2027.
Takaichi鈥檚 government has already reached that spending target and the panel is expected to discuss possible further increases in military spending.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
