# Japan
Latest news and articles about Japan
Total: 168 articles found
Japan’s Nuclear Paradox: Grassroots Pacifism Confronts a Rising Hawkish Ambition
Journalist Abe Katsushi's 40-year career highlights the tension between Japan's grassroots anti-nuclear movement and a modern political shift toward nuclear armament. Through the stories of Hiroshima and Bikini Atoll survivors, the narrative warns of a fading national memory as Japan reconsider its 'Three Non-Nuclear Principles' in a shifting global security environment.
Vintage Missiles, Modern Strategy: Japan’s Pivot toward Lethal Defense Exports
Japan is exploring the export of its Type 88 anti-ship missiles to the Philippines following a historic relaxation of its defense export laws. This shift aims to strengthen regional maritime security and the 'First Island Chain' defense against expanding naval pressures in the South China Sea.
The Takaichi Doctrine: Japan’s ‘Grey Rhino’ and the End of Pacific Pacifism
Japan's rapid military expansion under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is being characterized by Beijing as a 'Grey Rhino' threat to regional peace. The shift includes reaching the 2% GDP defense spending milestone and redefining Taiwan's security as a vital Japanese interest, marking the end of Tokyo's post-war pacifist constraints.
Tokyo’s Final Frontier: Japan’s Space Ambitions Spark Regional Security Debate
Japan's ruling LDP has proposed a significant expansion of the Self-Defense Forces' space capabilities, including increased personnel and new surveillance satellites. While Tokyo frames this as a necessary defensive evolution, Beijing warns it signals a dangerous militarization of space that threatens regional stability.
Ghosts of the Past: Beijing Warns Tokyo Against ‘New Militarism’ as Constitutional Reform Sparks Domestic Backlash
China has sharply criticized the Takaichi administration's push to amend Japan's pacifist constitution, labeling it a return to militarism. Amidst large-scale protests in Japan, Beijing is framing the constitutional reform as a threat to regional stability and an abandonment of Japan's post-war peace commitment.
Pacifist Undercurrents: Why Japan’s Push for Arms Exports Faces Public Friction
A new NHK poll shows that 52% of Japanese citizens oppose the export of lethal weapons, highlighting a significant gap between the government's military modernization goals and the public's enduring pacifist values. This resistance complicates Tokyo's efforts to revitalize its defense industry and deepen international security partnerships.
Japan’s Hard-Power Pivot: Domestic Dissent Over the Erosion of the ‘Peace Constitution’
As Japan increases its defense budget and pushes for constitutional revisions, domestic legal experts warn that these moves threaten regional trust and prioritize military hardware over social welfare. The debate highlights a growing rift between the government's pursuit of a 'normal' military status and the pacifist ideals of the legal and civil sectors.
The 2028 Reckoning: Why Chinese Hawks are Recalibrating for a Remilitarized Japan
Prominent Chinese scholar Jin Canrong warns that Japan is transitioning from a passive regional player to a primary military threat regarding Taiwan. He identifies 2028 as a pivotal year for Japanese constitutional reform that could fundamentally close the window for China's unification goals.
Jakarta’s High-Stakes Balancing Act: Squeezing Chinese Capital to Fund a Japanese-Backed Defense
Indonesia is pivoting toward resource nationalism by cutting nickel quotas and raising prices, directly impacting over $14 billion in Chinese investments. Concurrently, Jakarta is deepening defense ties with Japan to modernize its military, signaling a strategic shift to balance economic reliance on China with security partnerships with Tokyo and Manila.
Breaking Post-War Taboos: Japan Deploys Missile Power in the South China Sea
Japan has marked a historic shift in its post-war defense posture by firing Type 88 surface-to-ship missiles during the Balikatan exercises in the Philippines. This first-ever overseas missile launch signifies Tokyo's transition into a more assertive regional security partner alongside the U.S. and Manila.
Echoes of Empire: Beijing Bristles as Japan Mulls Return to Imperial-Era Military Ranks
China has issued a critical response to reports that Japan may reinstate Imperial-era military titles like 'Dazuo,' viewing it as a move toward historical revisionism. The controversy highlights how symbolic terminology remains a significant source of friction in the security and diplomatic relations between the two powers.
Beijing’s Wingmen: The Rising Brinkmanship in the East China Sea
Chinese J-15 pilots are adopting more aggressive radio protocols during intercepts of Japanese military aircraft, explicitly threatening missile engagement. This development highlights the escalating tensions in the East China Sea and China's growing military assertiveness in disputed airspaces.