Japan's Rearmament Reshapes Security in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian states must work together to shape Japan's rearmament for regional benefit, as Asia's security order is in flux.
From the South China Sea to the Taiwan Strait, Japan's dramatic shift in defence policy is reshaping Southeast Asia's strategic calculus. Japan's security identity is undergoing its most significant change since 1945, with the 2022 National Security Strategy aiming to double defence spending to 2% of GDP by 2027.
- The fiscal year 2025 defence budget of 8.7 trillion yen demonstrates Japan's commitment to this goal.
- Acquiring counterstrike capabilities and easing arms-export restrictions are key components of this strategy.
- Tokyo is also purchasing US-made Tomahawk missiles and accelerating deployment of Type-12 long-range missiles.
These developments show that Japan is prepared to reinterpret its postwar restraints for a harsher strategic environment.
Japan's rearmament is a significant shift that Southeast Asian states cannot afford to ignore.
Author's summary: Japan's rearmament impacts Southeast Asia's security.
More News
- Analysis: South Carolina football lose in nail-biter to No.4 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide
- FATF's moving goalposts
- Shreya Sen-Handley | Ditch That Smartphone, Get Out, Get A W/Life
- B.C. General Employees’ Union strike ends with tentative deal
- Bears defense should be put to the test by Derrick Henry and Baltimore's running game
- South Carolina upset of Alabama falls short