JAPAN - Upgrading Defense Capabilities

Japan must “strengthen its defense capabilities,” Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has told the BBC, emphasizing the need to revisit the pacifist posture that has defined the country since World War Two.

For the first time in about 50 years, Tokyo can now sell or transfer defense equipment and lethal weapons to the 17 countries with which it has signed formal agreements, including the US and the UK.

Koizumi explained in a sit-down interview at his office in Tokyo: “This vision of trading equipment and assets throughout the Indo-Pacific is something we have never seen before.”

Japan’s Defense Ministry identified China’s military moves as the “greatest strategic challenge” in its latest white paper report submitted to Cabinet. The ministry is expected to repeat the same in its upcoming annual government report.

Koizumi rebutted Beijing’s claim that his country was engaging in a “new militarism” and argued it was China and its “huge arsenal” of weapons that was of “serious concern” to the international community.

The emergence of true Japanese defense firms, focused at least primarily on the sector, will be critical to success, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

-www.bbc.com, 18 June 2026

Commentary: Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, talk and preparation seem to have switched into high gear. The whole world has been affected. Some voices actually speak of a third world war. History tells us that war comes unexpectedly, although in some cases, when looking back, it was expected.

What does it mean for Christians? Actually, very little. We serve the risen Master, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. While the world counts over 200 sovereign nations, we count only one: the body of Christ, the nation of the saints. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

Wars—all the way back to the beginning of human history—have a totally different goal than what the various nations imagine, with most calling themselves good and the others evil. The Psalmist, however, declares: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed” (Psalm 2:1-2).

It is this writer’s opinion that the potential of military conflict will continuously decrease to make room for the appearance of the evil one. “And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand” (Daniel 8:25).

(See 40 Days Through Daniel, Item #2304, $15.99.)