Japan’s Takaichi Vows Security Overhaul, Warns of China’s ‘Coercion’

Tokyo – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Friday warned of growing Chinese “coercion” and pledged a significant overhaul of Japan’s defense strategy, including easing restrictions on military exports and bolstering critical supply chains. The announcement came during a post-election speech to Parliament, outlining a program to counter what she views as an escalating economic and security threat from Beijing and its regional partners.

Landslide Victory and Security Concerns

Takaichi, who has led the Japanese government since October 2025, has navigated a strained diplomatic relationship with China following her statements regarding potential military responses to a Chinese attack on Taiwan, which would as well threaten Japanese territory. Her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured a landslide victory in recent elections, holding more than two-thirds of the seats in Parliament and facing little political resistance to her proposed reforms.

“Most Serious Security Environment”

“Japan is facing the most serious and complex security environment since World War II,” Takaichi stated, citing China’s intensifying military activities and deepening security ties with Russia. She also highlighted the increasing capabilities of North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic weapons programs.

Review of Defense Strategy and Military Exports

The Prime Minister announced a comprehensive review of Japan’s three basic security documents this year to develop a new defense strategy. She also plans to accelerate the revision of military export rules to increase foreign sales and strengthen Japan’s domestic defense industries. A policy proposal from an LDP think tank, chaired by Takaichi, suggested removing restrictions that currently limit military exports to non-lethal equipment, such as body armor ¹.

Addressing Chinese Coercion

Takaichi directly addressed China’s actions, stating, “China has intensified its attempts to unilaterally change the status quo through force or coercion in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.”

Increased Military Spending and Intelligence Capabilities

The Prime Minister is accelerating a military buildup initiated in 2023, which aims to double Japan’s defense spending to 2% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the end of March. This move positions Japan as one of the world’s largest military spenders, despite its historically pacifist constitution. To improve information gathering, Takaichi announced the creation of a national intelligence council, which she will chair, to consolidate intelligence collected by various agencies, including the police and the Ministry of Defense. Japan currently lacks dedicated foreign or domestic intelligence services.

Securing Supply Chains and Foreign Investment

Beyond defense, Takaichi proposed establishing a Japanese equivalent of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to scrutinize foreign investment in critical sectors. She also indicated that regulations governing land purchases by foreign entities would be revised. She pledged to reduce reliance on “certain countries” by strengthening supply chains and collaborating with allies to secure essential raw materials, including rare earths, particularly around Minamitori Island in the Pacific Ocean.

Nuclear Energy Restart

Takaichi also committed to accelerating the restart of nuclear reactors that have been offline since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011.

“A nation that does not rise to the challenges has no future,” Takaichi concluded. “A policy that only seeks to protect cannot inspire hope.”

¹ AP News