Analysis: Japan Stepping Up Asia-Pacific Military Strategy With New White Paper
By Alan Lu/Ryan Wu/Alex Chen/Reece Ayers
Japan's 2026 Defense White Paper signals a clear shift toward a proactive security role in the Indo-Pacific. TaiwanPlus speaks to Wang Hung-jen from Taiwan's Institute for National Policy Research about the paper, including how Tokyo is identifying China as its main strategic challenge and deepening military ties with regional allies.
Japan’s Defense White Paper
REPORTER:
In a new defense white paper, Japan describes China as its "greatest strategic challenge ever."
The white paper says China and Russia have deepened military cooperation. Through joint bomber patrols, naval operations and exercises, the two pose a threat to Japan's security.
The report also highlights Taiwan, saying China has repeatedly conducted drills around the country in recent years. It says Beijing is turning these activities into a "new normal" as it improves its combat capabilities.
Japan's Expanded Security Role and Regional Strategy
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REPORTER:
What are the key takeaways from Japan’s 2026 Defense White Paper, and how does it signal a shift in Tokyo's strategic posture?
Wang Hung-jen (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL POLICY RESEARCH):
This 2026 defense white paper actually try to show the international society that Japan is moving beyond simply strengthening its self-defense forces toward becoming a much more proactive security role in the Indo-Pacific regions.
I think the white paper tried to demonstrate that China is now clearly already identified as Japan's most significant long term strategic challenges in the region.
And the second point, you can read from the white paper that Japan is accelerating its transition toward more modern, technological driven warfare
Right now Japan is strengthening its long range strike capabilities intelligence sharing, missile defense.
Finally, I think the white paper try to reframe defense as part of national resilience and economic security
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REPORTER:
How is Japan planning to deepen security cooperation with key regional partners like the US, the Philippines, and Australia moving forward?
Wang Hung-jen (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL POLICY RESEARCH):
I think the whole idea is to try to build up a so-called multi-layered network of allies in the regions.
So, of course, for the United States, Japan is trying to, uh, integrate alliance command structures and have more intelligence sharing and joint operation planning with the United States
But with Australia, I think right now the cooperation is moving beyond the political coordinations towards more, uh, operational integration oriented the framework. So this will include more joint exercise, for example
Japan also has this reciprocal access agreement with Philippines. And they also have this acquisition and cross-service agreements between the two countries
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REPORTER:
What specific measures is Japan taking to bolster deterrence against China in the Taiwan Strait?
Wang Hung-jen (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL POLICY RESEARCH):
Japan still remains very careful not to frame its policy as a directly defending Taiwan
Japan try to focus more on strengthening deterrence by making any potential use of force significantly more costly and difficult
Japan is strengthening the defense of its southwestern island chains, including the island, which is very close to Taiwan
I think that's quite important, even if not clearly to say that it will defend, uh, for Taiwan Strait or for Taiwan, but it's already built up a lot of preparedness for the future.
