Supporting Japan's Military Buildup as a Necessary Deterrent

Proponents argue that Japan's $275 billion defense plan is a realistic response to a dangerous neighborhood. China's double-digit military budget increases and its coercive activities in the South China Sea and East China Sea leave Japan with little choice but to bolster its own capabilities. The investment is not about aggression but about ensuring that potential adversaries understand the costs of any conflict. By purchasing American equipment, Japan also strengthens the alliance and shares the burden of collective defense. For the U.S., this means a more capable partner in a region where America's own resources are stretched. The plan includes offensive weapons like cruise missiles that can strike enemy bases, a step that some find unsettling, but supporters see it as essential for meaningful deterrence. Without such capabilities, Japan would remain vulnerable to coercion and unable to defend its remote islands. The spending will also boost Japan's defense industry and create jobs. While the cost is high, the cost of inaction—a potential conflict or loss of sovereignty—is far greater. This is a pragmatic investment in peace through strength.