Japan's Military Expansion Raises Concerns Globally

Japan's military is rapidly expanding under the leadership of the Sanae Takaichi government, raising concerns among its neighbors and globally. The country's Ministry of Defense plans to request a record-high budget of about 8.9 trillion yen ($56 billion) for fiscal 2027, which could climb to 10 trillion yen once unspecified items are finalized.

This budget surge is matched by an aggressive escalation of weapons exports, including naval vessels being supplied to Australia and the Philippines, and Patriot air-defense interceptors being sent back to the United States. Each deal expands Japan's military-industrial complex and normalizes a role the postwar Constitution was designed to prevent.

The Japanese government's nuclear policy is also under scrutiny, with growing rhetoric on the need to discard the country's Three Non-Nuclear Principles. A recent survey found that 76 percent of respondents support upholding the principles while 77 percent believe Japan should not pursue 'nuclear sharing', an arrangement under which the US would station nuclear weapons in Japan.

Lin Jian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, warned the Takaichi government to listen to the call of the people and fulfill its obligations under international law by not accepting, producing, possessing or proliferating nuclear weapons. He emphasized that playing with fire on the issue of nuclear weapons would be a repeat of Japan's past militarism.