Japan recent defense white paper

Japan’s recent defense white paper says Japan faces its most severe security environment in decades.

Main points​

• China’s military activity around Taiwan is a major concern.
• North Korea’s missiles and nuclear program remain a threat.
• Russia is part of the worsening regional security picture.
• Japan wants stronger deterrence with the U.S. and allies.
• It pushes more defense capabilities in cyber, space, and other areas

Following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to North Korea in early June 2026, former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba publicly urged Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to prioritise reducing tensions with China, warning that Japan's survival depends on stable regional relations.

Ishiba's intervention stems from a "severe and complex" security environment where China and North Korea are increasingly coordinating military efforts, a shift the Japanese government is currently "scrambling" to analyse.