Japan's New PM Takaichi Pledges Accelerated Defense Spending Amid Rising Regional Tensions

Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has vowed to accelerate the country's military buildup and increase defense spending to 2% of GDP by March, which is two years ahead of the original schedule. She plans to revise Japan's national security strategy earlier than planned, by the end of 2026, in response to rising regional tensions involving China, North Korea, Russia, and global instability stemming from conflicts like Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Takaichi emphasized the need for Japan to proactively enhance its defense capabilities amid a shifting international order and increasing military activities by neighboring countries. Her stance includes strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance, with discussions anticipated during U.S. President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to Tokyo. While advocating for a stable and constructive relationship with China, her conservative views and prior actions have sparked concerns about potential strain in bilateral relations. Domestically, Takaichi faces economic challenges such as inflation and stagnant wages, and her minority government will need to manage opposition and public confidence issues.