Tokyo, Oct 22 (AP) Japan’s newly appointed Foreign Minister announced on Wednesday that the nation is determined to enhance its defense capabilities in response to evolving warfare dynamics and increased regional tensions ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to Tokyo next week.
President Trump is slated to meet Japan’s Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, next Tuesday. Takaichi recently took office, making history as Japan’s first female leader, following a period of domestic political maneuvering. She now faces significant diplomatic challenges, including Trump’s visit and two regional summits, within days of taking on her new role.
“We are firmly preparing for President Trump’s visit,” stated Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. He expressed the hope that Trump’s initial meeting with Takaichi, scheduled during his visit from October 27-29, would offer a platform for the two leaders to discuss deepening the Japan-US alliance and cultivating their personal relationship of trust.
Motegi also mentioned Japan’s desire to cooperate further with South Korea and other regional partners such as Australia and the Philippines, aiming for stable and constructive relations with China.
Japan is currently in the midst of a five-year military augmentation plan extending through 2027, as part of its national security strategy. This plan includes doubling annual defense spending to 2% of its gross domestic product. The strategy marks a significant shift from Japan’s defense-only stance under its postwar pacifist constitution, promoting the development of a strike-back capability with long-range missiles.
The ruling party’s new alliance with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party, replacing the more dovish Komeito party, has sparked concerns that a revised strategy may entail more offensive roles for Japan under Takaichi, known as a security hawk.
Motegi emphasized that bolstering Japan’s military capability is crucial to adapt to new forms of warfare, such as drone swarms and cyberattacks. While continuing with the current five-year military buildup, the government will also review it to firmly communicate its plans to the US.
Japan is expected to encounter stringent demands from Trump to raise its defense budget to NATO’s level of 5% of GDP, increase purchases of American weaponry, and provide additional funding for the approximately 50,000 US troops stationed in Japan under the bilateral security pact.
“Our national defense should be grounded on our own independent decisions,” Motegi asserted. “What’s important is not the figure or the GDP ratio but what’s in it.” He also expressed his intent to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the earliest opportunity to discuss enhancing the deterrence and response capability of the Japan-US alliance.
Motegi returns to the foreign minister position, having previously served from 2019-2021 during Trump’s initial term, where he earned a reputation as a tough negotiator. He’s tasked with following up on the Japan-US tariff agreement, aiming for “sincere and steady implementation” to ensure mutual benefits, economic security, and growth. (AP)
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