TOKYO: New PM Wants To Change Alliance. Strategic Autonomy, "Asian NATO", J-bases in US, and more.

Originally published on 1 October 2024.
Ishiba Shigeru is the new Prime Minister of Japan, and he has some very unconventional ideas that the US cannot be very happy about. While superficially, his policies might look "trans-atlantic" he in fact outlined a vision toward Japan's strategic autonomy. He goes as far as to strive for Japanese Military Bases on US territories! He does so all while coushoning this words and goals in the well-known rhetoric of "strengthening" the alliance and building up deterrence against China. But looking at his most recent speeches and publications, it's clear that this PM is not on board with simply being an "unsinkable aircraft carrier" to the USA. This will be interesting.