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In December 2022, Japan announced its most significant military expansion since World War II. The move aims to counter China’s increasingly assertive military posture, especially in the East China Sea—regions historically critical to Japan’s defense. The country’s defense policy has shifted from post-war pacifism toward proactive deterrence, with an emphasis on strengthening its land, sea, and air forces.
This expansion is characterized by the rapid development of new military bases on remote Japanese islands, particularly along the chain of islands near Taiwan. These bases are part of a broader strategic effort to create a defensive barrier against potential aggression and to project power further into disputed areas.