Tokyo: Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced on Wednesday that Tokyo plans to prioritize the country's defense reinforcements and revise three key documents.
According to Anadolu Agency, the three key documents include the National Security Strategy (NSS), the National Defense Strategy (NDS), and the Defense Buildup Program (DPD), which were approved by the former Kishida administration in December 2022. This approval marked a major shift in Japan's post-war defense policy.
Motegi's remarks coincided with Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara's announcement that US President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Japan on Monday for a three-day visit. During this visit, Trump will meet with Emperor Naruhito and newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Motegi emphasized that Japan's defense capability should not be measured solely by its absolute size or ratio to GDP but by the capability itself. The Trump administration has been urging allies, including Japan, to increase their defense spending.
Tokyo's initiatives will prioritize the "fundamental strengthening of our defense capabilities based on the national security strategy," and a review of the three key national security policy documents will be integral to these efforts, Motegi stated.
Trump's visit to Japan, a longstanding US ally in the Asia-Pacific region since World War II, marks the first time in nearly six years that a US president has visited. Japan hosts thousands of American troops, along with military bases and weaponry.
Trump's Asia trip will include stops in Malaysia, where he will attend the ASEAN summit, and South Korea, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Prime Minister Takaichi, who became Japan's first female prime minister on Tuesday, will also attend these summits.
Motegi highlighted the growing importance of bilateral ties with South Korea, which Prime Minister Takaichi described as "an important neighbor for Japan" during her inaugural news conference after being sworn in by the Japanese emperor.