Japan will continue to strengthen its defense capabilities given the security situation in East Asia, Japan's foreign minister told his U.S. counterpart in a meeting on Tuesday, his spokesperson said.
The return of U.S. President Donald Trump has prompted expectations that Washington may put more pressure on allies to further step up defense spending.
Spurred by concerns about China's growing military might and nuclear-armed North Korea, Tokyo is undertaking an historic defense build-up.
Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya met with Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz on Tuesday in Washington.
Iwaya told Rubio and Waltz that Japan had no choice but to continue increasing defense capabilities given the situation in East Asia, foreign ministry spokesperson Toshihiro Kitamura told a news conference in Washington.
© Thomson Reuters 2025.
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JJE
That'll be music to the US MIC investment club's board of directors.
リッチ
The western military machine selling over priced weapons to Japan there will never use is just icing on the cake. I live near the misery of defense and they are used car sales men selling weapons in record numbers to Japanese who just hand over the wealth of Japan. There isn’t much difference between now and the 1800’s.
NihonRyu
Japan’s move to strengthen its defense capabilities, particularly through projects like the upcoming joint stealth fighter development with trusted allies such as the U.S., UK, and Australia, is a significant and necessary step forward.
In a world where aggression from nations like China, Russia, and North Korea threatens regional stability, it’s critical for Japan to build a more robust and self-reliant defense system. Collaborating with key allies not only ensures technological advancements but also fosters deeper security partnerships, enhancing collective deterrence.
This strategic direction empowers Japan to safeguard its sovereignty while contributing to peace and stability in East Asia. It’s a future-focused approach that balances innovation, collaboration, and national security.
Let’s hope this momentum continues, and we see more domestically built or jointly developed defense initiatives that strengthen Japan’s ability to address modern challenges effectively.
Wasabi
Japan must stop listing to daddy us and man up.
Japan can be politicly strong!
Mr Kipling
Tugging the forelock like a good servant.
Matt
I doubt many young Japanese people are keen to join the military.
didou
No, Japan has the right to declare itself as a pacifist country not promoting weapons building
Agent_Neo
It is right for the Japanese to increase defense spending in order to protect Japan.
Fighter jets are planned to be jointly developed with the UK and Italy, and many other weapons and armaments are also being developed independently.
Therefore, actual weapons imports from the US will likely be limited to a few types such as missiles and drones, unlike other countries.
OssanAmerica
Japan already is a Pacifist country. The only one with a constitution that prophibits starting any wars. But does that stop China from targeting bases in Japan if they go head to head with the U.S. over Taiwaan? Of course not.
Japan is hardly the only country on the planet beefing up it's defenses. The combination of Russia invading Ukraine, China continuing to threaten Taiwan, these and other autocracies attempting to change the world order is a crisis level event and the free world is responding accordingly.