PM Kishida Plans To Introduce Reforms Which Will Change Regional Security

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has used his keynote speech at the Shangri La Security Dialogue in Singapore today to announce plans of a substantial increase in Japan's military budget.

• Significantly, Kishida did not rule out developing counterstrike capabilities, a move which would alter the security architecture of East Asia and fundamentally change Japan's post-war approach to defence.
• Security Expert Lionel Fatton says: "Pillar 1: Kishida said Japan to devise an IndoPacific Plan for Peace to strengthen Free/Open region. Emphasis on Pacific Islands obvious in his speech at the Shangri La Dialogue. Pillar 2: to bolster deterrence/defense capabilities. "Will not rule out any option," including counterstrike."
• Robert Ward notes that although the military announcement will be picked up by wires the focus on economic security is "surely a first for a Shangri La to have a keynote with a focus on economic security. A focus for Kishida's administration, a sign of the times."
• Kishida also plans to attend the NATO leaders summit in Madrid later this month. Analysts say this move is further evidence of Japan "shedding constitutional constraints" and reforming its military.