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Japan’s Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, took office in October 2024. His administration promises major shifts in the deepening of Japan’s alliance with the United States and the strengthening of the country’s military capacities. Territorial disputes and geopolitical tensions with China and South Korea, as well as security concerns regarding North Korea's military capacity and its relationship with Russia, have led the nation's new leadership to take a strong position on its policies.
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Japan's catastrophic defeat in World War II left its cities completely devastated. The infamous atomic bombs the United States dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki marked the country, and world history, forever.
The unprecedented devastation caused by American use of nuclear weapons led to the death of up to 246,000 people, most of whom were civilians. In addition, the effects of radiation, including increased cancer rates and birth defects, continued to impact the population, leading to tens of thousands more deaths.
Shortly following the bombing, Japan surrendered. The nation was then militarily occupied by the United States from 1945 to 1956, facing significant transformations.
Japan was demilitarized, prohibited from maintaining a military force, and the Japanese constitution was rewritten, largely by their occupiers, transforming Japan’s political structure. The country only regained sovereignty in 1952.
Economic, social, and educational reforms shaped the next phase of the country’s development to ensure that Japan would be equipped not only to become an American ally, but also to resist communist alliances.
As per the 1951 US-Japan Security Treaty, Japan harbors the largest US military hub in the region. Today, there are approximately 80 US military bases in Japan, and over 25,000 US military personnel.
Over the last decade, relations between the US and Japan have deepened, particularly in terms of political interests and economic partnerships.
The nations regularly conduct joint military exercises, engage in intelligence sharing, and collaborate on weapon development.
Economic partnerships, the development of technological advancements, and cooperation in terms of renewable and nuclear energy sources are also key elements in their collaboration.
Both the US and China have interests in disputes pertaining to the South China Sea, and North Korea’s frequent missile and nuclear tests in the region.
The US holds similar agreements with the nations of South Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand, as well as regional agreements. With rising tensions with China, regional allies expect greater support from their American ally.
During his reelection campaign, Trump suggested that nations with security agreements with the US should pay the United States for their security, monetizing protection under new agreements.
Critics argue that those conditions certainly exist and are already in place, considering weapons sales and other military assistance that the US provides to its allies.
The US currently has military bases in the following Asia-Pacific nations, in addition to Japan: South Korea (15 bases), Guam (4 bases), Australia (1 base), Philippines (5 bases), Singapore (1 base), Thailand (several rotational bases), and Diego Garcia (1 base, a joint facility with the UK).
Japan’s newest Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, took office in October 2024. His administration promises major policy stances along the lines expected of US-Japan collaboration, such as the deepening of Japan’s alliance with the United States and the strengthening of the country’s military capacities.
What breaks from the legacy of US post-WWII agreements is the development of the nation’s counterstrike capacity, rather than an exclusive self-defense position. A position it is developing with the help of the United States.
The announcement follows repeated reports of breaches of Japanese airspace by Chinese and Russian aircraft, coupled with China’s military activity and North Korea’s missile tests.
North Korea poses a particular threat to Japan, given its missile program and development of nuclear weapons. The unpredictability of North Korea’s leadership, alliances, and military decision-making makes the nation a risk to Japan.
China and Japan have had a strained relationship pertaining to the Senkaku Islands, also known as the Diaoyu Islands. China regularly sends military vessels close to the islands to attempt to challenge Japan’s claims.
China has also invested a great deal in building up its military capacities, creating regional anxieties regarding potential escalation and general security. Today, China’s navy is the biggest in the world.
Cyber threats looming from China have also been a key topic among Japanese leadership, in fear of vulnerabilities pertaining to communication infrastructure.
Japan also has territorial disputes with Russia regarding the Northern Territories, also called the Kuril Islands. Over the last several years, Russia has increased its military presence in the islands, including deploying missile systems and conducting military drills.
As Chinese-Russian relations have deepened, they have also regularly conducted joint military exercises. Some of these have occurred in Japanese airspace, and close to Japanese waters. This alliance is also a source of concern for Japan.
Japan is also building regional pacts to further security agreements within the region. There is, for example, the Quad, an agreement between India, Japan, Australia, and the US, as well as a recent security agreement between Japan, South Korea, and the US.
Taiwan’s increased partnership with the United States will also lead to stronger agreements with nations, such as Japan, with the encouragement of US influence and pressure.
Under the impending Trump administration, Japan has expressed some concerns regarding new agreements that the US may attempt to impose on the nation, particularly regarding protectionist trade measures and payments for US forces.
Although Japan has announced its intentions to deepen its ties with the US, the new Trump administration poses some uncertainties and instability about how the relations between the countries will evolve.
The new Prime Minister faces serious challenges, given the fairly low public and political support he currently holds. Trump was particularly fond of the former Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, but concerns over Ishiba being perceived as ‘weak’ have been a point of discussion.
Economic challenges are also likely to increase in Japan. Due to the instability of state politics, high cost of living, and unclear political funding issues, analysts argue that investments will be challenging to procure.
Sources: (AP News) (The Washington Post) (Al Jazeera) (Business Standard) (The Japan News) (Reuters)
See also: A new Cold War? The rising tensions between the US and China
Japan unveils defense strategy in response to regional tensions
Military build up and stronger partnership with US
LIFESTYLE United states
Japan’s Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, took office in October 2024. His administration promises major shifts in the deepening of Japan’s alliance with the United States and the strengthening of the country’s military capacities. Territorial disputes and geopolitical tensions with China and South Korea, as well as security concerns regarding North Korea's military capacity and its relationship with Russia, have led the nation's new leadership to take a strong position on its policies.
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