Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, in his address at the annual troop review held at Camp Asaka in the Tokyo suburbs on November 9th, 2023, emphasized the need to bolster Japan's military and strengthen its alliance with the United States under President-elect Donald Trump.
Ishiba highlighted the deteriorating security environment surrounding Japan, citing escalating tensions with China, Russia, and North Korea. He pledged to reinforce Japan's military power in response to these threats, particularly in light of airspace violations by Chinese and Russian warplanes and China's growing military activity around Japanese coasts.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance as the cornerstone for achieving security, and pledged to elevate Japan's ties with the United States and work closely with President-elect Trump. He also acknowledged the challenges his governing coalition faces following its recent electoral loss, but reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing the ongoing military buildup plan and strengthening the command system to improve cooperation between Japanese and U.S. troops.
Ishiba's speech underscores Japan's evolving security posture, reflecting a shift from its post-war focus on economic recovery to a more proactive approach to defense in the face of a complex and challenging security environment.