Japan is doing what U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded: increasing defense spending. But as America’s influence in the Indo-Pacific wanes, Tokyo has the opportunity to play a bigger role in the region’s security.
New Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is determined to convince Trump she’s serious about boosting the nation’s military capabilities. A protege of the late Shinzo Abe, she’s eager to cultivate the same kind of personal rapport the former prime minister — who was the original Trump whisperer — had with the U.S. leader. Ahead of their meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday, she announced Japan will spend 2% of gross domestic product on defense by next spring, two years ahead of schedule. The government also plans to roll back restrictions on defense exports, build weapons factories and accelerate investment in the military.
The Trump administration has pushed European allies to boost defense spending to 5% of GDP and is making similar demands of its partners in Asia, including Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Getting out in front of that narrative shows that Tokyo is proactive, not reactive. Takaichi and Trump are also expected to sign an agreement on strengthening shipbuilding capabilities, as a way to counter China’s growing dominance of the industry.
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