Japan’s pivot away from peace reflects new world order

News Snapshot:

In 2022, Japan announced its biggest military build-up since World War II with an ambitious five-year spending plan that included buying missiles capable of striking China. Japan is earmarking a record ¥7.7 trillion ($77 billion) for its defence budget in fiscal 2024 in what local media are calling an “intense arms buildup”. The government wants to expand its annual defence budget to 2 per cent of GDP by 2027, from just 1 per cent now. Reimagining its security alliances in an increasingly hostile region is the next logical step in Japan’s defence push. President Joe Biden with Japanese Prime Minister...