Japan critical partner for securityBy Lee Hsi-min 李喜明Japan’s elections have delivered Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a significant political mandate, which comes at a pivotal moment for the Indo-Pacific region, with clear positive ramifications for Japan’s regional allies, including Taiwan. The larger budget would enable Japan to strengthen its military capabilities, enhancing support to its regional partners. When announcing the election, Takaichi said “the international security environment is becoming more severe,” referencing military activities conducted by China around Taiwan. In the event of direct military engagement by China, Taiwan is counting on a trilateral partnership with the US and Japan. This requires greater coordination between Japan and its regional partners in areas including defense coordination and development assistance.

Source: Taipei Times March 11, 2026 16:06 UTC