Takaichi Clear on Priority: Strengthen Defense Capabilities

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Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has delivered her first policy speech since taking office. Speaking to fellow Diet members of all parties, she spoke to the current extraordinary session of the Lower House and then the Upper House. The session was opened an hour earlier by His Majesty Emperor Naruhito of Japan.

In her address, Takaichi advocated measures to combat rising prices, secure economic growth, and reform social security. She also promised reasonable measures not tainted by xenophobia to deal with problems related to foreigners.

She pledged, “We will make the Japanese archipelago strong and prosperous, and elevate Japan once again to a leading position in the world.”

It was a speech worthy of a prime minister known for her policy expertise. Next, let’s see Takaichi follow up and take bold action for the sake of the nation and the Japanese people.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivering her first policy speech at the Lower House plenary session. October 24 (©Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office)

National Security Priorities

The security policies that Takaichi discussed were especially striking. After all, a reliable national security stance is essential to maintain Japan’s independence and peace, protect the lives of its people, and ensure its prosperity.

The Prime Minister announced a review of the three strategic security documents, aiming to revise them in 2026. These include the National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and Defense Buildup Program enacted in December 2022.

The National Security Strategy calls for an increase in defense spending to 2% of Japan’s 2022 gross domestic product. Takaichi stated that she would utilize the supplementary budget to achieve this 2% target within this fiscal year, two years ahead of schedule.

Revision of the three documents and advancement of the increase in defense-related budgets should make conditions safer for the nation. We commend the Prime Minister for taking the initiative to demonstrate Japan’s commitment to strengthening its defenses.

Prime Minister Takaichi’s statements concerning national security likely stem from a keen sense of crisis regarding the increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan.

At a press conference she held the evening she took office, the Prime Minister pointed out that the use of drones for military purposes has rapidly expanded in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She emphasized that the way battles are fought has changed drastically recently, adding, “We find ourselves in a situation where time is of the essence.”

China’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, Fujian. (Photo provided by Japan’s Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office, September 11, East China Sea)

A Changed Security Environment Since 2022

Takaichi’s pledge to review the three key defense documents indicates she intends to promote a fundamental strengthening of defense capabilities.

The drastic strengthening of defense capabilities was initiated by then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. His administration’s enactment of the three current documents was groundbreaking. But the fast-changing environment Japan faces today demands that they be reevaluated.

Japan is surrounded by nuclear-armed, anti-Japan authoritarian nations. China and North Korea, especially, are steadily expanding their military capabilities. Facing these neighbors, Japan needs to strengthen its defense capabilities and enhance its deterrent power. This can be done through proactive diplomacy, while cooperating with allies ー including the United States, Australia, and South Korea ー to maintain peace.

In her stance, the Prime Minister emphasized that security is not a “path to war.” Rather, it is a “path to preventing war.”

Japan Racing Association Defending Japan in Partnership with the US

On Saturday, October 25, Prime Minister Takaichi spoke by telephone with US President Donald Trump. She told the US president that strengthening the Japan-US alliance is her administration’s top priority in foreign and security policy. That was the right thing to do.

Now we would like to see her administration provide a detailed explanation to the public about what kind of defense capabilities are needed, why, and how they will be funded. If she does that, she will surely gain understanding and support from the Japanese people.

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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