Russia’s Shoigu Warns Global Community About Rising Signs of Japanese Militarism
Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, has raised strong concerns about what he describes as Japan’s accelerating shift toward militarism, urging the international community to pay close attention to recent developments. Speaking this week, Shoigu said Japan’s evolving security policies and military posture represent a significant departure from its post war identity and should not be overlooked.
Shoigu argued that Japan has engaged in what he called near constant provocations, adding that the country has undergone a swift transformation from one that constitutionally renounced maintaining armed forces to one that is now expanding its defense ambitions. His comments come at a moment of heightened geopolitical tension in the Asia Pacific region, where shifts in military strategy are increasingly scrutinized by neighboring states.
One of Shoigu’s key points of concern is the position taken by Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, who has advocated raising Japan’s defense budget to two percent of its gross domestic product. Shoigu noted that this figure aligns with NATO’s two percent guideline, which he claimed may eventually be raised to five percent following Donald Trump’s return to the United States presidency. He suggested that Japan is moving in gradual steps toward a more assertive military stance that could alter regional dynamics.
Shoigu also highlighted what he sees as troubling trends in Japan’s defense cooperation with the United States. He pointed to decisions involving weapons left behind after joint military exercises, describing them as potential escalators of regional tension. He voiced particular concern about missile related systems and the possibility of expanding missile deployments on Japanese naval vessels.
For Russia, these developments are viewed through the lens of its broader security concerns in the eastern part of its territory. Shoigu emphasized that Moscow cannot ignore the presence of advanced American weaponry in Japan, especially when it remains in place after drills. He argued that such moves reflect a growing military infrastructure that could eventually pose a threat to regional stability.
Japan, for its part, maintains that its defense policies are reactive measures shaped by a more challenging security environment, including concerns about regional missile programs and increased military activity near its borders. Japanese officials have insisted that their defense buildup is defensive in nature and consistent with international norms.
Still, Shoigu’s remarks underscore the deepening mistrust between Moscow and Tokyo and reflect Russia’s anxiety over the shifting balance of power in East Asia. As military budgets rise and strategic partnerships evolve, analysts say the region may experience heightened sensitivity to even incremental defense changes.
Whether Shoigu’s warning alters international perceptions remains to be seen, but his message reveals how closely regional actors are monitoring Japan’s strategic direction and how defense debates in Tokyo are increasingly viewed as matters of global significance.
