Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized she would "consider all options without exclusion" to strengthen the nation's defense capabilities. Takaichi has been pushing for constitutional amendments to explicitly establish the legal basis for the Self-Defense Forces.
"To resolutely protect Japan and its people, we will consider all options without exclusion, including the organizational structure of the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces," Takaichi said at the National Defense Academy graduation ceremony in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on March 14. The academy trains officer candidates for the Self-Defense Forces.
"The security environment surrounding Japan is becoming the most severe and complex since the postwar period," Takaichi added. The remarks underscored the growing importance of the Self-Defense Forces amid military buildups by North Korea and China, as well as strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea.
Takaichi also noted expanded cooperation with South Korea, the Philippines, and other nations based on the Japan-U.S. alliance. She stressed the need to prepare for "new combat methods" involving mass drone deployment and prolonged conflicts.
Analysts interpret Takaichi's message of "considering all options" for defense strengthening as closely tied to revising Japan's pacifist constitution. Article 9 of the Japanese constitution renounces war and the use of force, and denies the maintenance of land, sea, and air forces as well as the right of belligerency. At a press conference last month, Takaichi said she would "work to create an environment where a national referendum on constitutional revision can be held as soon as possible."
The Takaichi cabinet is also accelerating revisions to three key security documents: the National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and Defense Buildup Program. Defense spending increases are being expedited as well. Using supplementary budgets, Takaichi raised the defense-to-GDP ratio from 1% to 2% in fiscal year 2025—two years ahead of the previous government's target of fiscal 2027.
Energy security policy is also gaining momentum. Kyodo News reported that the Japanese government has decided to pursue liquefied natural gas carrier construction in partnership with the private sector. Japan has not built LNG carriers since 2019. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism plans to begin formal discussions at an expert meeting on March 19. Under consideration is a plan for Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan's largest shipbuilder, to construct LNG carriers using part of its Oshima Shipyard production base in Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyushu.
The decision to resume LNG carrier construction after seven years is seen as driven by Japan-China tensions and energy security concerns. Relations between the two countries have cooled sharply following Takaichi's remarks suggesting intervention in a Taiwan contingency. This has raised concerns that Japan could face disruptions to energy imports if it becomes unable to order LNG carriers from China. However, Kyodo News reported that additional facility investment and securing skilled workers remain challenges, given Japan's seven-year absence from LNG carrier production.