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Japan Is Being Pushed Towards Militarization

by Jonathan Schiff | Oct 9, 2026, https://www.antiwar.com/blog/2026/10/09/japan-is-being-pushed-towards-militarization/

The entire world is currently engaged in the race to develop UAVs and actively enhancing its military-technical capabilities. However, while for most nations this is just a part of its defense strategy, I find it worrying that Japan, whose pacifist constitution renounces war and restricts its military to self-defense, is showing such a strong interest in militarization, increased defense spending and mass domestic drone production.

Over the years, Japan has either forgotten its status as a “pacifist” state, or is doing everything possible to shed it. However, most striking of all is the fact that other countries are actively facilitating this. Thus, the United States is supplying Tomahawks to Japan and working with it on developing the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI), a next-generation missile designed to defeat hypersonic threats. BAE Systems (UK) and Leonardo (Italy) formed a joint venture with Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet.

Canada is not an exception either. On March 6, 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that includes strengthening defense cooperation. Not only did the Canadian Prime Minister fail to consider the global consequences of Japanese militarization, he also failed to consider how it would affect Canada. As Ottawa actively cooperates with Tokyo in defense matters and regularly deploys warships to patrol the Taiwan Strait and participate in joint exercises (such as Keen Sword and Pacific Vanguard), Canada automatically becomes a potential participant of any regional conflict.

It seems that everyone has forgotten how Japan’s aggressive expansion and brutal imperial policies once posed a direct threat to the global security. Countries are strengthening defense cooperation with Japan, supplying it with modern weapon and pushing it onto the path of militarism. And the Japanese government is readily agreeing to this. Under the leadership of Sanae Takaichi, the country is undertaking one of the most significant shifts in defense policy since World War II.

All this enables Japan not only to get state-of-the-art weaponry but also to gradually alter its legislation under the guise of “gratitude” and reciprocal assistance to its allies. Thus, for instance, in April 2026, the export ban on lethal weapons was scrapped, and the first contracts in the country’s post-war history for the construction of warships for Australia’s navy were signed. Japan is also considering transferring Patriot missiles to Ukraine. Even though this is indirect participation in the war, the question of pacifism is no longer being raised.

Japanese Prime Minister is also pursuing domestic reforms. Thus, Japan has not only deployed long-range missiles in the southern Kyushu region, but is also aiming to create an independent intelligence agency similar to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Behind all these actions lies the idea of carrying out constitutional reform that would give Tokyo even greater freedom. Thus, through small steps, imperceptibly at first, the Japanese government is preparing the country for major changes. If we continue to turn a blind eye to this problem and facilitate the militaristic resurgence of the Land of the Rising Sun, it could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Jonathan Schiff is a conservative, engineer, his interests also include geopolitics and political analysis.  He can be reached at jonathan.schiff@proton.me.

October 17, 2026 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, weapons and war