Sanae Takaichi, sworn in on Tuesday as Japan’s first female leader, used her first policy speech to compress timelines and revisit the 2022 security blueprint. Her push lands days before an Oct. 27–29 Tokyo summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Strategy Brought Forward

Takaichi said Tokyo will upgrade its national security strategy ahead of schedule, moving off the once-per-decade cadence set by the last overhaul in December 2022. The review, she indicated, would enable “more offensive” roles for the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and further relax arms-export rules, though she did not detail funding. October’s speech followed months of party infighting after back-to-back election losses cost the ruling bloc its majority in both chambers.

“the free, open…order is…shaken”

“The free, open and stable international order that we were accustomed to is violently shaken,” she told parliament, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East. She added that activities by China, North Korea, and Russia in Japan’s neighborhood “are causing grave concerns,” arguing Japan must “proactively push” a fundamental defense build-up. These remarks frame the rationale for accelerating procurement and posture.

2% by March

Tokyo now targets annual defense outlays at 2% of GDP by March 2026—pulled forward from the original 2027 timeline—marking a faster ramp toward NATO-standard levels. The acceleration compresses planning by roughly one fiscal year and could lock in higher multi-year procurement as the fiscal year closes on March 31. Details on how to finance the increase were not provided.

Summit Pressure and Purchases

The timing precedes the Oct. 27–29 Trump visit, where Japan expects “tough demands,” including more U.S. systems buys. The meeting and two regional summits present an early diplomatic test for Takaichi, who also pledged to strengthen the U.S.–Japan alliance while seeking a “constructive and stable” relationship with China. Her domestic agenda must pass a minority Diet, requiring opposition cooperation.