Japan wins support of G-7 nations for its stronger defence posture

Country seeks display of unity against challenges to the global rules-based order

- Walter Sim

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida returned from a seven-day, five-country trip on Sunday with the wind in his sails, having won the backing of fellow Group of Seven (G-7) leaders for a radical overhaul to its pacifist security posture.

The whirlwind trip came as Japan, which holds the rotating presidency of the bloc of seven industrialised democracies in 2023, sought a display of unity against challenges to the global rules-based order.

Mr Kishida visited all the G-7 capitals Paris, London, Rome, Ottawa and Washington - but Germany, owing to scheduling conflicts. This followed sweeping changes he enacted to Japan's defence policy three weeks ago. Japan plans to double its defence budget in five years, and also acquire counterstrike capabilities that will enable it to attack enemy bases should it come under threat. Among the key discussions in Britain and Italy was a plan to jointly develop fighter jets that will replace Japan's ageing fleet.

And, visiting the White House for the first time since taking office in October 2021, Mr Kishida discussed with US President Joe Biden a plan for Japan to become only the second United States ally after Britain to be sold Tomahawk cruise missiles, wh will allow it to strike ground targets. 

There, Mr Kishida scored a "crystal clear" vow that the US is "fully, thoroughly, completely committed to the alliance - and, more importantly, to Japan's defence".