Japan, South Korea strengthen security ties amid signs of thawing relations long strained by wartime history

JAPAN’S DEFENCE POLICY

Since taking office in October 2021, Mr Kishida has shifted Japan from its long-held pacifist policy.

Tokyo unveiled a record budget for its biggest post-war defence expansion last December.

Under the new security and defence policy, the nation will be allowed to launch preemptive attacks on aggressors.

Mr Kishida’s government, in its annual defence paper released last month, cited China’s growing assertiveness in the region, as well as North Korea’s military activities, as major concerns for Japan.

Observers said the threats from neighbouring powers have prompted the nation – which has for decades depended on the US for security – to start stepping up its own defence capabilities and forging defence alliances.

Public opinion polls show that an increasing number of Japanese support the build-up.

However, the public stopped short at backing Mr Kishida’s attempts to go a step further to export lethal weapons, a survey by Japanese news agency Jiji Press found.