Japan ramping up defence is 'critical' to prevent war, defence minister tells BBC

Japan Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has declared that a significant ramp-up in the nation's defense capabilities is 'critical' for preventing war, directly challenging the pacifist posture that has largely defined Japan since World War Two. This urgent pivot comes amidst escalating regional tensions, with Koizumi emphasizing the imperative to strengthen deterrence and readiness to meet evolving threats. His remarks underscore a profound shift in Tokyo's security doctrine, pushing the boundaries of its post-war constitutional constraints. The move is propelled by a dramatically changing geopolitical landscape, particularly China intensifying military assertiveness in the East China Sea and around Taiwan, alongside North Korea aggressive nuclear and missile programs. Tokyo has significantly accelerated its defense spending, with the budget hitting a postwar high of over 9 trillion yen in 2025 and achieving the 2% of GDP target two years ahead of schedule. Japan is also rapidly acquiring and deploying advanced 'counterstrike capabilities,' including domestically developed long-range Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) and upgraded Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, alongside US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, fundamentally altering its defensive posture and enhancing its US-Japan alliance. This aggressive reorientation has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespersons Lin Jian and Chen Shi warning that Japan military expansion risks regional destabilization and reflects a drift towards 'neo-militarism.' As Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi administration plans to further revise its National Security, Defense, and Defense Buildup Program by late 2026, the international community watches closely for the implications of a militarily empowered Japan. The ongoing debate over Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution and the nation's expanding role in cyber and space defense will shape the Indo-Pacific strategic future, cementing Japan role as an active security guarantor rather than a passive beneficiary of regional stability.