Japan’s expanding defense posture is one of the most consequential developments in Indo-Pacific security. Facing China’s growing military capabilities, North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes, Russian activity, maritime vulnerabilities, and uncertainty over the future credibility of U.S. engagement, Tokyo has expanded counterstrike capabilities, missile defense, intelligence, joint command structures, defense-industrial cooperation, and regional security partnerships. This panel examines the nature, drivers, and limits of Japan’s defense transformation and its implications for regional deterrence, alliance credibility, constitutional debate, and domestic politics.
It welcomes papers on deterrence by denial, strategic autonomy and strategic indispensability, the U.S.-Japan alliance, extended deterrence, Taiwan contingencies, Okinawa and basing politics, defense spending, arms exports, economic security, and trilateral or minilateral cooperation. The panel also invites competing interpretations of this process: remilitarization, alliance adaptation, or a constrained effort to preserve the regional status quo.
