Nuclear weapons: Japan questions its strategy in the face of Trumpian instability.

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

Japan, militarily dependent on its American ally just like its Korean neighbor, observes this situation with concern: for Tokyo, it would be inconceivable to face China without the support of Washington. 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 for 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. Now, we must reconsider how to keep them in Asia,” sighed the senior officer, who regularly contributes to the media.