Japan’s New Prime Minister Plans Accelerated Defence Expansion

TOKYO, Oct 24 (Bernama-dpa) — Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi wants to accelerate her country’s military build-up, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

In her first parliamentary speech as the new head of government on Friday, Takaichi announced plans to increase the defence budget to two per cent of gross domestic product by March.

This would mean this target would be achieved two years earlier than previously planned.

She described the security alliance with Japan’s protective power, the United States (US), as the “cornerstone” of her foreign and security policy. US President Donald Trump is expected in Tokyo next week.

Takaichi said her government would deepen dialogue with countries such as South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, and India and, in view of China‘s growing power ambitions in the region, would work towards a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

She described China as an “important neighbour” with whom Japan wants to maintain “constructive and stable” relations and promote a “strategic and mutually beneficial” partnership.

Takaichi is considered a protégée of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated in 2022, and shares his nationalist and reformist views.

Despite Japan’s already massive national debt, which is more than double the country’s economic output, she also announced an aggressive fiscal policy to stimulate the economy. 

She told parliament that tackling Japan’s rising cost of living is a “top priority” for her.

— BERNAMA-dpa

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