Japan’s Military Buildup Signals Urgency Amid Regional Threats Ahead of Trump Visit

As tensions escalate across the Indo-Pacific, Japan is signaling a robust pivot from its postwar pacifism toward a hardened military posture. This move comes as U.S. President Donald Trump prepares for critical talks with newly installed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female leader, whose hawkish stance underscores growing security concerns in the region. Why Is Japan Boosting Its Military Now? Japan’s foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, has confirmed that Tokyo intends to rapidly enhance its defense capabilities — an adaptation forced by evolving warfare technologies and the regional instability fueled by adversaries such as China and North Korea. The planned...