Japan is debating one of the biggest shifts in its postwar defense policy: whether to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. The discussion comes as Tokyo accelerates its military buildup in response to growing pressure from China, Russia and North Korea, while expanding joint exercises with the United States and Australia. At the same time, Okinawa has elected a new governor who supports relocating the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to Henoko, potentially giving Japan's government greater freedom to strengthen its southwestern defenses near Taiwan. As Chinese and Russian military activity intensifies around Japan and North Korea expands its naval capabilities, is Tokyo entering a new era of deterrence? In this episode, we examine Japan's submarine debate, the strategic significance of Okinawa, and what these developments could mean for Taiwan, the First Island Chain and security across the Indo-Pacific.
*Recorded on September 15, 2026 at 4:30pm Taiwan Standard Time
Host: Rath Wang
Producer: Miguel Yang
Videographer: Damon Lin
Our guests:
Shen Ming-shih
- Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) Research Fellow
Igata Akira
- University of Tokyo Research Center for /Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) Economic Security Intelligence Lab Project Leader
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