U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Commends Japan's Accelerated Military Buildup in Tokyo Visit

U.S. Defense Secretary Welcomes Japan's Strategic Shift

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, during a visit to Tokyo on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, publicly welcomed Japan's determination to accelerate its ongoing military buildup and increase defense spending. The move comes as Japan responds to a challenging regional security environment, particularly concerning China's military assertiveness and North Korea's missile programs.

Secretary Hegseth's visit followed a significant summit between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump on October 28, 2025. During their discussions, Prime Minister Takaichi committed to an ambitious increase in Japan's defense budget, pledging to raise expenditures to 2% of the country's gross national product (GNP) by March 2026, advancing the target by two years from the originally planned 2027.

Japan's Enhanced Defense Posture

Japan's decision reflects a significant shift from its post-World War II exclusively defense-oriented posture, outlined in its 2022 National Security Strategy. This strategic recalibration is driven by a bleak assessment of rising security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

Key aspects of Japan's accelerated military buildup include:

• Increased Defense Spending: A commitment to reach 2% of GDP for defense by March 2026, a target aligned with NATO benchmarks.
• Acquisition of Counterstrike Capabilities: Plans to acquire long-range precision weapons, including U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles and domestically developed Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles with extended ranges.
• Revision of Security Documents: Expediting the review of three key security documents: the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy, and the Defense Buildup Program.
• Modernization of Forces: Enhancing capabilities in areas such as standoff strike, integrated air and missile defense, unmanned assets, cross-domain operations, and command and control.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi conveyed these plans to Secretary Hegseth during their meeting, emphasizing Japan's commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance with 'unprecedented speed'.

U.S. Endorsement and Alliance Strengthening

Secretary Hegseth underscored the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance, stating, 'The threats we face are real, and they are urgent. China's unprecedented military buildup and its aggressive military actions speak for themselves.' He added, 'Make no mistake about it, our alliance is critical to deterring Chinese military aggression, to responding to regional contingencies, and keeping our countries safe.'

Hegseth also clarified that the U.S. government had not demanded Japan's spending increase, calling Japan's current plans 'wonderful' and a sovereign decision driven by its own security needs. This sentiment was echoed by Prime Minister Takaichi, who emphasized that the decision was based on capabilities required, not a pre-set amount. The discussions also covered expanding joint presence in Japan's southwestern region and enhancing bilateral training.

Regional Context and Future Outlook

The accelerated buildup is a direct response to intensifying regional threats, including frequent territorial incursions by China's military in the East China Sea and North Korea's advanced missile capabilities. Japan's new Prime Minister Takaichi, who took office recently, has made confronting these security challenges a priority.

The U.S.-Japan alliance remains a cornerstone of security in the Indo-Pacific, with both nations committed to maintaining a free and open region. The increased defense cooperation is seen as crucial for deterrence and stability in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.