Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi urged Japan on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, to boost its defence capabilities with a heightened "sense of urgency and crisis." This call coincided with the release of the government's latest defence white paper, which highlighted mounting threats from China, North Korea, and Russia.

Japan has been strengthening its defence forces for years, but officials now emphasize that the pace must quicken due to a deteriorating regional security environment. The push for expansion began notably in 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, when then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida advocated for enhanced defence measures.

Despite criticism from Beijing and Pyongyang accusing Japan of abandoning its post-war pacifist principles, Tokyo maintains that its actions are defensive and comply with constitutional limits. Japan renounced the right to maintain a military under Article 9 of its US-drafted constitution after World War II but established the Self-Defense Forces in 1954 to ensure national protection.

Experts note that Japan's current defence buildup does not represent a sudden remilitarisation, given its decades-long self-defence capabilities. Jeffrey Hornung, a senior political scientist at RAND, explained, "Japan legally does not have a military; it has a Self-Defense Force."

Critics argue that Japan's acquisition of long-range missiles pushes boundaries, but Hornung clarified these are limited to "counter use" strategies, meaning they can only be deployed if Japan is attacked.

Public support for a stronger self-defence force grows each time China commits provocative acts against regional powers or North Korea launches missiles near Japan. Japan continues to navigate a complex neighbourhood where three nuclear-armed states publicly criticise its security policies and sovereignty.

Type 90 battle tanks of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during a live fire exercise at East Fuji Maneuver Area in Gotemba on June 7, 2026.

Sources