Japan’s National Security Strategy Wins Bipartisan Support In U.S. Congress

On December 20th, at an exclusive press conference held in Tokyo, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, Mr. Emanuel, spoke highly of three documents including the National Security Strategy approved by the Japanese government cabinet to strengthen defense capabilities. He sees it as a “response to the changing security environment” and underscores the bipartisan support of the U.S. government and U.S. Congress. The United States will fully cooperate with Japan on counterattack capabilities and countering Chinese ships.

On December 16th, the Japanese government officially passed three defense documents; the new version of “National Security Strategy,” “National Defense Strategy,” and the “Defense Force Readiness Plan,” making it clear that Japan will have the counterattack capability to attack enemy bases. Raising the defense budget to 2% of GDP by fiscal 2027 will allow Japan to surpass Russia and become the third largest military power after the United States and Communist China. The security strategy not only positioned Communist China as an “unprecedented strategic challenge,” but the Kishida government approved Japan’s own plan to develop hypersonic missiles, thus ending Japan’s defense-oriented “pacifist” country since World War II security strategy.

After the introduction of Japan’s new security strategy, many departments in the United States have welcomed it. National Security Advisor Sullivan said in a statement that “Japan’s goal of substantially increasing defense investment will also strengthen and modernize the U.S.-Japan alliance.” U.S. Secretary of State Blinken emphasized that the U.S.-Japan alliance and partnership are the most important strategic assets of the two countries. U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin said that the U.S. and Japan can strengthen integrated deterrence and respond to changing regional and global security challenges by cooperating with like-minded allies and partners.