People’s Daily has republished a commentary from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Daily asserting that Japan is moving beyond its long-standing “exclusively defensive” security posture and developing more offensive military capabilities:
On April 27, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated at a security policy review meeting that Japan must prepare for “new forms of warfare” and even “prolonged conflict.”
To this end, Japan is accelerating the development and deployment of longer-range strike capabilities. These include systems such as the Type 25 surface-to-ship missile, with an estimated range of around 1,000 kilometers, as well as hypersonic glide vehicles, with plans to extend strike ranges to approximately 2,000 kilometers. Japan is also acquiring U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles and Norway’s Joint Strike Missiles to equip its naval forces.
At the same time, Japan is undertaking a sweeping restructuring of its Self-Defense Forces. This includes what is described as the largest reorganization in the history of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, with the creation of a new “Surface Fleet” composed of three surface combat groups, alongside a patrol and defense group and an amphibious and mine warfare group. Japan is also expanding its space capabilities by upgrading its Space Operations Group to a Space Operations Regiment, with plans to further elevate it into a Space Operations Command. In parallel, it is establishing specialized intelligence units, reflecting a broader effort to modernize and strengthen its overall military structure and operational capacity.
Source: People’s Daily, April 30, 2026
http://military.people.com.cn/n1/2026/0430/c1011-40711778.html