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Japan appears to be shedding its post-war military taboos, with the lifting of some arms export restrictions and their participation in joint exercises with the Philippines. So let’s explain Japan’s military buildup and why it’s such a significant move.
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Japanese constitution:
https://www.shugiin.go.jp/internet/itdb_english.nsf/html/statics/english/constitution_e.htm
Timeline of arms export rule changes:
https://thediplomat.com/2026/04/breaking-the-postwar-taboo-japan-lifts-its-ban-on-lethal-arms-exports/
Japanese National Security Strategy 2022:
https://www.cas.go.jp/jp/siryou/221216anzenhoshou/nss-e.pdf
Increase in military spending:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-64001554
https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/12/26/japan-on-track-to-become-worlds-third-largest-defence-spender
Japan buys Tomahawk missiles:
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2024/01/18/japan-buys-hundreds-of-tomahawk-missiles-from-united-states/
https://thediplomat.com/2023/02/pm-kishida-announces-japan-will-acquire-400-tomahawk-missiles-from-us/
Takaichi loosens arms export restrictions:
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/rattled-by-trump-us-allies-eye-japans-biggest-arms-opening-since-ww2-2026-04-15/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyx4vlqy4vo
https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis/2026/04/japan-loosens-the-reins-on-defence-exports/
Japan-Australia ship deal:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-18/japan-warship-deal-australia-with-mogami-frigate-richard-marles/106579734
Potential Japan-Philippines ship deal:
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20260506_01/
Japan takes combat role in joint exercise:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-06/japan-strikes-combat-role-in-south-china-sea-in-post-war-pivot
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16548027
South Korean response to Japanese buildup:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sUoC0Q95GKs
China condemns Japanese ‘militarism’:
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3352646/china-condemns-japans-first-overseas-offensive-missile-test-wwii
00:00 Introduction
00:57 Background
02:34 Why Japan is Rearming
03:45 Japan’s Rearmament
06:08 The International Response
07:54 Too Long (Sponsor)
