Japan’s Military Shift: What It Means for the US Alliance

Japan is changing its defense strategy, and the United States is watching closely. Kuni Miyake, a former Japanese diplomat and current president of the Japan Institute for International Affairs, offers a clear-eyed view of what he calls Japan’s “so-called rising militarism.” Miyake argues that Japan is not becoming aggressively militaristic. Instead, he says, Tokyo is responding to a real and changing security environment. The primary driver, he explains, is the growing military power of China and the ongoing threat from North Korea’s missile programs. For decades, Japan relied on a strictly defensive posture. That is shifting. The government has increased defense spending and is discussing the ability to strike enemy bases if an attack is imminent. Miyake stresses that these moves are defensive in nature, aimed at deterring conflict, not starting one. This evolution is happening with Washington’s support. Miyake notes that the US has long pushed Japan to do more for its own defense. The current changes align with American expectations, strengthening the alliance rather than straining it. However, Miyake warns that public perception lags behind policy. Many Japanese citizens remain uncomfortable with any talk of military expansion. He suggests that leaders in Tokyo must do a better job explaining the necessity of these changes to the public. For the US, the message is clear: Japan is a reliable partner that is taking on more responsibility. But this is not a return to the past. It is a calculated, modern adaptation to current threats. The alliance, Miyake concludes, is not weakening—it is being redefined for a new era.