Nuclear weapons: facing Trumpian instability, Japan questions its strategy

While the war in Iran is shaking the global economy, Japan also sees the foundation of its defense strategy shaken by President Donald Trump’s “Donroe doctrine”. A reinterpretation of the famous Monroe doctrine, this concept reflects the vision of a world divided into spheres of influence between three powers – the United States, China, and Russia. This implies a potential US disengagement from the Indo-Pacific region, which could benefit Beijing.

Japan, militarily dependent on its American ally much like its Korean neighbor, watches this situation with concern: for Tokyo, it would be unthinkable to face China without Washington’s support. In this context, Katsutoshi Kawano, former chief of staff of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces from 2014 to 2019, gave an exclusive interview to the economic daily Nihon Keizai Shimbun, advocating a fundamental revision of Japan’s defense strategy. “Some feared that due to the military alliance with the United States, Japan might be forced to participate in a war initiated by the Americans. But now we must think about how to keep them in Asia,” sighed the senior officer, who regularly contributes to the media.