Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is rightly being feted in Washington this week as leader of America’s closest ally in Asia. But Japan is positioning itself as something more: a military power able to shoulder greater global responsibilities. Officials in both countries should seize the chance to make that prospect a reality.

The changes Kishida has overseen would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Once-pacifist Japan is increasing national-security spending to 2% of gross domestic product by 2027. It has committed to a forward-leaning defense strategy, adding long-range Tomahawk missiles to its arsenal for the first time. Rules blocking weapons exports have been loosened. The country has stabilized long-rocky relations with South Korea while deepening security ties with Australia, India and the Philippines.

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Japan Could Be America’s New Special Relationship

32 0
10.04.2024

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is rightly being feted in Washington this week as leader of America’s closest ally in Asia. But Japan is positioning itself as something more: a military power able to shoulder........

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