# Japan
Latest news and articles about Japan
Total: 168 articles found

The Rising Sun’s Shadow: Pyongyang Slams Japan’s ‘Imperial’ Foreign Policy Pivot
North Korea has condemned Japan's 2026 Diplomatic Bluebook, accusing Tokyo of using regional security concerns as a pretext to revive its imperial-era military ambitions. The statement reaffirms Pyongyang's nuclear status while warning that Japan's current policy trajectory is leading toward a dangerous destabilization of the region.

The Plastic Lifeline: Middle East Volatility Threatens Japan’s Dialysis Patients
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have caused a critical shortage of naphtha, threatening the supply of dialysis equipment for 340,000 Japanese patients. Despite record releases of strategic oil reserves, manufacturing disruptions in Southeast Asia could halt medical shipments by August.

Japan’s Defensive Taboos Crumble: Beijing Sounds Alarm Over Tokyo’s ‘New Militarism’
Beijing has issued a stern warning against the 'offensive' transformation of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, citing recent structural reforms and joint exercises in the Philippines as evidence of a departure from the country's 'Peace Constitution.' The critique focuses on the deployment of long-range missiles and the rise of historical revisionism within Tokyo’s military establishment.

Guns Over Butter: The Takaichi Administration’s High-Stakes Bet on a ‘Defense Economy’
Japan's 2026 budget has failed to pass for the first time in 11 years as the Takaichi administration prioritizes record defense spending over social welfare. Amidst soaring inflation and record debt, the government is shifting toward a 'defense-driven' economic model that integrates scientific research with national security, sparking intense domestic and international controversy.

The Dragon Overtakes the Rising Sun: China Ends Japan’s Quarter-Century Auto Supremacy
In a historic industrial shift, China surpassed Japan in 2025 to become the world's largest automotive power by global sales volume. This transition marks the end of Japan's 25-year reign and highlights the decisive victory of China's long-term strategy to dominate the electric and smart vehicle ecosystem.

Japan Shatters Pacifist Taboos with Landmark Pivot to Lethal Arms Exports
The Japanese government is set to finalize a major policy shift allowing the export of lethal weaponry and reducing parliamentary oversight of arms deals. This move aims to revitalize Japan's domestic defense industry and strengthen its role in regional security, despite domestic concerns over the erosion of pacifist principles.

Crossing the Rubicon: Japan’s Long-Range Missile Deployment Signals an Era of Strategic Aggression
Japan has deployed 1,000km-range missiles in Kumamoto and Shizuoka, marking a definitive shift toward offensive 'counter-strike' capabilities. This move signals the abandonment of the post-war 'exclusively defense-oriented' policy, sparking both domestic protests and regional concerns regarding pre-emptive strikes and military expansion.

The Sword Unsheathed: Japan’s Shift to Lethal Exports Ignites Domestic Backlash
Japanese peace organizations and lawmakers are protesting the government's decision to permit lethal weapon exports and introduce a defense tax. Critics argue these moves violate Japan's Peace Constitution and sacrifice social welfare for military expansion, potentially destabilizing the region.

Japan Breaks Post-War Taboo with Move to Nationalize Defense Production
The Japanese government is advancing plans to nationalize defense production facilities, a move that critics argue abandons the country's post-war pacifist principles. This policy shift, spearheaded by the Takaichi administration, aims to secure Japan's military-industrial base amidst rising regional tensions.

Sharp Tongues and Cold Steel: Beijing Rebuffs Inquiries into Embassy Security Breach
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson dismissed Japanese media questions regarding a security incident involving an armed intruder at a diplomatic mission. The response underscores the Ministry's hardline stance on embassy security and the continuing friction in Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations.

Berlin’s Indo-Pacific Pivot: Germany and Japan Seek to Formalize Defense Ties
Germany has proposed a Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan to facilitate troop deployments and streamline military cooperation. This move reflects a broader strategic shift as Berlin and Tokyo link European and Asian security challenges in response to pressure from Russia and China.

Middle East Pulls U.S. Forces, Tests Alliances in Asia — and Hands Beijing a Talking Point
The diversion of U.S. military assets from East Asia to the Middle East has intensified doubts among allies about American reliability and highlighted the strategic risks of host‑nation basing. Seoul and Tokyo face renewed domestic pressure to diversify defence options, while Beijing is leveraging the episode to promote regional security alternatives that reduce dependence on the United States.