Japan has signed an agreement with the United States to purchase up to 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles as part of its ongoing military buildup [4466206a]. The deal, worth around 10 trillion yen ($68 billion), is part of Japan's commitment to double its annual defense spending by 2027 [4466206a]. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara announced in December that Japan will accelerate the deployment of Tomahawks and Japanese-made Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles starting in fiscal year 2025 [4466206a]. The signing of the purchase agreement was attended by Kihara and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel [4466206a]. The decision to expedite the deployment is in response to the increasingly severe security environment [4466206a].
Japan's defense policy has been driven by concerns over China's military power and the threat of a nuclear-armed North Korea [3019565a]. The country aims to enhance its military capacity to protect peace and prosperity by raising the costs of aggression [3019565a]. Japan has also updated its security and defense policies to address the challenge posed by China [3019565a]. In addition to the purchase of Tomahawk missiles, Japan has recently loosened arms export controls to allow the sale of Patriot missiles to the United States [3019565a].
The purchase of Tomahawk missiles from the United States is part of Japan's ongoing efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities [4466206a]. The country has made significant changes in its defense strategy, including a commitment to offensive roles, the deployment of long-range cruise missiles, and the ability to export lethal weapons [fd8c0d1d]. Japan has also entered into an agreement with the UK and Italy to develop the next generation jet fighter [fd8c0d1d]. These measures have been taken to counter China's ambitions and ensure Japan's security [fd8c0d1d].
China's defense ministry has criticized the U.S. Defense Department's annual report on China's security policy and military strategy [71332af1]. The report claimed that China will rapidly modernize and expand its nuclear forces, potentially having over 1,000 warheads by 2030 [71332af1]. In response, the Chinese ministry expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition, emphasizing that China's armed forces are aimed at containing the threat of war and safeguarding its own security and world peace [71332af1]. The criticism comes amid tensions between China and the United States over various security concerns [71332af1].
Japan's Subaru is working with suppliers to mitigate risks related to procuring materials for electric-vehicle batteries, following China's move to restrict graphite exports [71332af1]. Japan's government is also considering a $33 billion package to support low-income households and implement an income tax cut to offset rising living costs [71332af1]. Additionally, oil prices stabilized after falling for three consecutive sessions, and Asian stocks rose after President Xi Jinping expressed support for China's economy [71332af1].
The Pentagon has released a report highlighting the need for reform to effectively counter China's military capabilities [2b9d0a02]. The report identifies vulnerabilities such as the declining industrial base, supply-chain constraints, and outflow of weapons [2b9d0a02]. It recommends teaming up with Indo-Pacific allies and partners to address these challenges [2b9d0a02]. The report also emphasizes the importance of resilient supply chains and cooperation with close allies [2b9d0a02]. It suggests boosting weapons production and integrating weapons systems from artillery to hypersonic weapons [2b9d0a02]. The briefing provides evidence for bipartisan efforts to tackle the challenges posed by China and Russia [2b9d0a02].
Japan's purchase of Tomahawk missiles from the United States is part of its ongoing military buildup [4466206a]. The country aims to double its annual defense spending by 2027 and has updated its security and defense policies to address the challenge posed by China [4466206a] [3019565a]. In addition to the purchase of Tomahawk missiles, Japan has recently loosened arms export controls to allow the sale of Patriot missiles to the United States [3019565a]. These measures have been taken to counter China's ambitions and ensure Japan's security [fd8c0d1d].
In a separate development, a Japanese yakuza boss, Takeshi Ebisawa, has been charged by U.S. prosecutors with attempting to sell uranium and plutonium, which can be used to build nuclear bombs, to an undercover U.S. law enforcement agent posing as an associate of an Iranian general [2b424fff]. Ebisawa also tried to obtain military weapons on behalf of an insurgent leader in Myanmar [2b424fff]. During negotiations, Ebisawa asked for $6.85 million for the nuclear material and sought to procure weapons such as surface-to-air missiles, M60 machine guns, and AK-47 rifles [2b424fff]. In 2021, Ebisawa met with an undercover U.S. official and two undercover Danish police officers in Copenhagen to examine the military weapons [2b424fff]. In February 2022, Ebisawa's associates showed samples of the nuclear material to the undercover U.S. agent in Thailand, where the material was later confiscated by Thai authorities and handed over to U.S. officials [2b424fff]. The materials were confirmed to be radioactive and weapons-grade plutonium [2b424fff]. Ebisawa and a co-defendant, Somphop Singhasiri, also sought to sell drugs to an undercover law enforcement officer [2b424fff]. Ebisawa and Singhasiri face eight criminal counts that could result in life sentences [2b424fff] [2b424fff].