Japan’s Strategic Turn
The country is taking once-unthinkable steps to ensure its own defense.
Over thirty years ago, my first visit to Japan revealed a country still reeling from the end of the Cold War and the rise of China. Despite being no longer the dominant economic power it once was, Japan's GDP remained formidable compared to most of Asia and even exceeded that of China. However, a recent trip revealed a very different Japan.
Even in 1995, early warning signs of economic stagnation and declining birth rates were present. Today, Japan's economic power has significantly diminished, now accounting for only a fifth of China's GDP. Moreover, China's military capabilities have grown exponentially, with North Korea possessing dozens of nuclear weapons that can be delivered, and Russia aligned with China and providing military technology to both China and North Korea.
Written by urgent.news from The Atlantic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
