September 13, 2023

New CNAS Report: Strengthening the Shield: Japan’s Defense Transformation and the U.S.-Japan Alliance

By: Jacob Stokes, Lisa Curtis, Joshua Fitt, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph I. Grimm, and Rebecca Wittner

Washington, September 13, 2023 — Today, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) released a new report, Strengthening the Shield: Japan’s Defense Transformation and the U.S.-Japan Alliance, by authors Jacob Stokes, Lisa Curtis, and Joshua Fitt, with Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Grimm and Rebecca Wittner.

The report examines how Japan is evolving its approach to defense as Tokyo confronts a rapidly deteriorating security environment. It begins by taking stock of the threats from China, North Korea, and Russia. Then, the report details changes to Japan’s military spending, policies, capabilities, and force posture. The subsequent two sections evaluate how these changes are shaping Japan’s security partnerships and then assess implications for the U.S.-Japan alliance.

“Japan’s fundamental transformation of its defense posture will mean significant changes for the U.S.-Japan alliance,” write the report authors. “The United States must adapt its approach to alliance coordination to maximize new opportunities and manage any new challenges.”

The report concludes by offering recommendations for policymakers in Washington for how to leverage these trends to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance, deter aggression, and protect peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

For more information or to schedule an interview with report authors, please contact Alexa Whaley at  awhaley@cnas.org.

Indo-Pacific Security

Strengthening the Shield

In December 2022, Japan’s government released three major strategic documents: the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy, and the Defense Buildup Program. ...

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Authors

  • Jacob Stokes

    Senior Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Program

    Jacob Stokes is a Senior Fellow for the Indo-Pacific Security Program at CNAS, where his work focuses on U.S.-China relations, Chinese foreign and military policy, East Asian ...

  • Lisa Curtis

    Senior Fellow and Director, Indo-Pacific Security Program

    Lisa Curtis is a Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at CNAS. She is a foreign policy and national security expert with over 20 years of service in...

  • Joshua Fitt

    Former Associate Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Program

    Joshua Fitt is a former Associate Fellow for the Indo-Pacific Security Program at CNAS. He focuses on U.S. East Asian security strategy and specializes in Japanese and Korean ...

  • Lieutenant Colonel Joseph I. Grimm

    Former Senior Military Fellow, United States Marine Corps

    Lieutenant Colonel Joseph I. Grimm is a Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) in Washington, D.C. LtCol Grimm recently comple...

  • Rebecca Wittner

    Former Research Consultant, Indo-Pacific Security Program

    Rebecca Wittner is a former research consultant and former Joseph S. Nye, Jr. intern for the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Sh...