Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a joint press conference with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (not pictured) at the Akasaka Palace state guest house in Tokyo, Japan, 28 May 2026. Photo by Rodrigo Reyes Marin / EPA
June 8 (Asia Today) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government is moving forward with talks to revise Japan's three core security documents, with defense spending, nuclear policy and artificial intelligence emerging as central issues.
The documents are Japan's National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy and Defense Buildup Program. They set the direction for diplomacy and defense policy for about the next decade, as well as defense spending and major equipment plans for five years.
Japan first adopted a National Security Strategy in 2013 under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government revised all three documents in 2022.
Asahi Shimbun reported Monday that the Takaichi government's review centers on eight issues: defense spending, Japan's three non-nuclear principles, AI and drones, the defense industry, nuclear-powered submarines, ties with the United States, perceptions of China and economic security.
