Japan builds up its ‘southern shield’ as faith in US security cover falters

What Happened

Japan deployed long-range missiles to Kyushu island in March, marking a major strategic shift since 1947. The 'southern shield' defense strategy prioritizes China as the primary security threat, shifting resources from northern defenses. Japan's record $58 billion defense budget for fiscal 2026 funds this southwestern military buildup involving weapons, electronic warfare, and air assets.

Key Entities

AI Tools