HomeFronts
Japan Is Rearming. Here's Why That Matters
Fronts Staff • February 12, 2026
Members only
Insider access
Watch with Fronts Insider
Fronts Insiders get every video, the complete archive, and private sponsor-free playback.
Insiders Receive
- Every WarFronts, HomeFronts, and Insider video
- Complete sponsor-free video archive
- Support independent conflict journalism
From $5/month — cancel anytime
About this briefing
Japan just delivered a historic supermajority to a nationalist prime minister determined to rewrite its pacifist legacy. From missiles to Taiwan, here’s why Japan’s dramatic rearmament reshapes Asia’s balance of power.
Sources
- 01Csis Japans 26 Year Old Ruling Coalition Collapses
- 02Ejiltalk Whos The Self In Collective Self Defence Under International Law About Japanese Pm Takaichis Comments Regarding An Attack On Taiwan
- 03English C
- 04Newsweek Chinese Diplomat Threatens Behead Japans Pm Sanae Takaichi
- 05Defensenews Pacifist Japan Moving From Exclusive Self Defense To Military Buildup
- 06Apnews Japan Military Buildup Defense Constitution Us China
- 07Tokyofoundation Detail
- 08Dissentmagazine Why Tokyo Is Burning
- 09Spfusa 2022 A Year Of Major Political Advancement In Japans National Security
- 10Pbs Japans Cabinet Approves Record Defense Budget Aiming To Deter China As Tensions Grow
- 11News Japan Signs Deal For 400 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles
- 12Navalnews Japan Completes All Improved Type 12 Anti Ship Missile Tests
- 13Newsweek China Condemns Japanese Missile Plan Extremely Dangerous
- 14Taipeitimes
- 15Japantimes Takaichi Nonnuclear Principles
- 16Realcleardefense Japan Edges Towards Hosting Nuclear Weapons
- 17En 1955 System
- 18Bbc Cnvd784n1meo
- 19Pbs Prime Minister Ishibas Coalition Loses Majority In Japans Upper House Election
- 20Reuters Japans Komeito Leave Ruling Coalition With Ldp Under Takaichi Nhk Reports 2025 10 10
- 21Aljazeera Coalition Deal Set To Make Takaichi Japans First Female Pm
- 22Cnbc Japans Core Inflation Hits Highest Level Since Jan 2023 Putting Pressure On Boj To Raise Rates
- 23Focus-economics Inflation
- 24Cnbc Japan Pm Takaichi Calls Feb 8 Election
- 25Japantimes Cdp Komeito New Party
- 26Japantimes Cra Cdp Lose
- 27English
- 28Ft 7f314584 4865 4237 Ac06
- 29Theconversation Young Japanese Voters Embrace Right Wing Populist Parties Leaving The Prime Minister On The Brink
- 30Foreignpolicy Japan Sanae Takaichi Election Economy
- 31English
- 32Cfr Political Realignment And The 2026 Japanese Election
- 33Cnn Us Japan Trump Takaichi Analysis Intl Hnk
- 34Reuters Trump Endorses Japanese Pm Takaichi Ahead Sunday Election 2026 02 05
- 35Youtu HZ8CF NFngk
- 36Lowyinstitute Sanae Takaichi Japan Back Back
- 37Thediplomat Ldps Takaichi Proposes A Quasi Alliance While In Taiwan
- 38Newsweek Japan Births Lowest Records Began
- 39Chinadaily WS67c028f5a310c240449d7ab3
- 40Newsweek Japan Says Population Crisis Is Biggest Problem
- 41Japan 18jinkousenryakuhonbu
- 42Aei All Is Not Well On The Japanese Bond Market Front