"Japan's southern island of Kyushu is ground zero for one of the greatest shifts in Japan's defence strategy since 1947, when it formally renounced the use of war to settle international disputes."
"Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated that Japan faces the most severe and complex security environment in the post-war era and must strengthen its deterrence and responsiveness."
"The strategy focuses heavily on the Nansei or Ryukyu Islands, which form a natural barrier dividing the East China Sea from the Philippine Sea, critical for U.S.-led maritime defense."
"Much of Japan's growing defence budget, which hit a record $58bn for the fiscal year 2026, has been allocated towards this build-up."
Japan is undergoing a major shift in its defense strategy, deploying long-range missiles to Kyushu and prioritizing threats from China over North Korea and Russia. The Japan Self-Defense Forces are enhancing their capabilities in southern Japan, focusing on the Nansei Islands, which are crucial for U.S. maritime defense strategies. Japan's defense budget has reached a record $58 billion for fiscal year 2026, reflecting the urgency to strengthen deterrence and responsiveness in a complex security environment.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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