Japan is embarking on a profound and accelerated military transformation, moving decisively away from its post-war pacifist stance. The government is pushing forward with plans to significantly enhance its defence capabilities, with a core goal of doubling its annual arms spending to counter what it perceives as growing threats from China.
A Historic Departure from Post-War Pacifism
This dramatic shift comes as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a noted security hawk, leads the nation. While Tokyo insists it remains a peaceful country, the buildup is framed as essential for achieving a more self-reliant military with a stronger deterrence against Beijing. However, critics, including China, argue Japan is deviating from its long-held peace pledge, a point sharpened by Takaichi's statement that Chinese military action against Taiwan could warrant a Japanese response.
The roots of this change lie in Japan's U.S.-drafted 1947 constitution, specifically Article 9, which renounced war and the maintenance of armed forces. Initially intended to stamp out militarism, the article's interpretation has been stretched over decades. The creation of the Self-Defense Forces in 1954 was the first major step. A pivotal moment came in 2014 under Shinzo Abe, who reinterpreted Article 9 to allow for collective self-defence, enabling Japan to defend allies under attack.
Escalating Tensions with China Drive the Buildup
Regional tensions provide the immediate impetus for Japan's spending surge. Incidents like Chinese aircraft locking radars on Japanese planes and the operation of Chinese carriers near Iwo Jima have heightened alarm in Tokyo. In response, Takaichi's cabinet recently approved a record defence budget exceeding 9 trillion yen (£58 billion) for the coming year, focused on acquiring cruise missiles and unmanned systems for strike-back and coastal defence.
Beijing has reacted sharply. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian accused Japan of "deviating from the path of peaceful development" and moving in a "dangerous direction." Historical grievances also simmer; Takaichi's past visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honours war criminals among Japan's war dead, are seen by China and Korea as a lack of remorse for wartime aggression.
The Quest for a 'Normal' Military and Nuclear Debates
The strategic overhaul became explicit in December 2022, when then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida adopted a policy endorsing counterstrike capabilities with long-range missiles—a clean break from defence-only policy. This move was described by former official Masahiro Sakata as "the death of Article 9." Japan is now set to hit a NATO-inspired defence spending target of 2% of GDP by March 2027, two years early, and faces pressure to go further.
Concurrently, Japan plans to revitalise its defence industry by scrapping arms export restrictions, collaborating with the UK and Italy on fighter jets, and selling frigates to Australia. More controversially, a government panel has proposed exploring the development of a nuclear submarine for extended deterrence, sparking debate in a nation committed to non-nuclear principles. While Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi reaffirms Japan's three non-nuclear principles, officials have openly discussed nuclear possession, drawing criticism from atomic bomb survivors.
This comprehensive military buildup marks a definitive turn for Japan, balancing alliance obligations with the United States against a rising China, while navigating deep domestic and international sensitivities about its pacifist identity and wartime history.
