What's behind Japan's military buildup | Mapped Out

For eight decades, pacifism defined Japan's identity. After Japan's defeat in World War II, the allies even wrote it into Japan's constitution. But under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Tokyo is doubling defense spending and deploying long‑range missiles like the Chu-SAM Kai air defense system. There are even discussions about nuclear weapons. Under Takaichi's mentor Shinzo Abe, moves like that were much more controversial. But tensions are rising with China and the risk of a Taiwan conflict could directly affect Japan. And the war in Iran and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have had an impact on Japan's oil imports, which mostly come from the Middle East. It's just one example of how growing uncertainty about the United States under President Donald Trump may be forcing Japan to change its calculations — and loosen post‑war constraints. Chapters: 0:00 Yonaguni: How Japan is rearming 3:42 Japan's brutal World War II history 5:16 Article 9: The pacifist constitution 7:11 Senkaku, Diaoyu or Diaoyutai islands? 8:02 Japan, Taiwan and China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) 8:22 Japan's role in the "first island chain" 9:12 China, North Korea & Russia: Japan's dangerous neighborhood 10:56 Japan's need for stable shipping lanes 11:20 Is the US under Donald Trump still a reliable ally? 13:59 South Korea & the Philippines: Can Japan overcome its past? #japan #china #taiwan #unitedstates #sanaetakaichi #dwgeopolitics For more news go to: http://www.dw.com/en/ Follow DW on social media: ►Instagram:   / dwnews   ►TikTok:   / dwnews   ►Facebook:   / deutschewellenews   ►Twitter:   / dwnews   Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie:    / dwdeutsch   Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/deutsche...