Strengthening The Shield

The release of Japan’s three strategic documents in December 2022 was a watershed moment in Japanese foreign and defense policy and the beginning of a new chapter for the U.S.-Japan alliance. In many ways, these changes built on incremental shifts over the past decade or so. At the same time, such declarations would not have been possible without the recent and unprecedented recognition, at both the elite and popular levels, of the major security challenges Japan faces from China, North Korea, and Russia. In response to these threats, Japan has decided to comprehensively strengthen its military power. These actions could be interpreted as hedging behavior in reaction to the unpredictability of the American political system. But ultimately, the new capabilities will create opportunities for strengthening the alliance. Ultimately, Japan’s defense transformation offers an opportunity for Washington to work closely with Tokyo to strengthen the alliance and prepare it to meet the treacherous geopolitical landscape it faces in the years ahead.