// LEADERS' VIEWS
TAKAICHI SANAE, PRIME MINISTER, JAPAN
W e will sweepingly reinforce Japan’s comprehensive strength as a nation, with a focus on our strengths in diplomacy, defense, the economy, technology, infor- mation, and human resources … We will promote strategic investments that enhance resilience against poten- tial crises that minimise various risks, including in economic security, food security, energy and resource secu- rity, health and medical care security, national resilience, and cyber security … We will steadily reduce our govern- ment debt-to-GDP [gross domestic product] ratio by keeping the rate of expansion of government debt in check so as not to exceed our rate of GDP growth … It is precisely this kind of fiscal policy, one giving ample consideration to fiscal discipline, that characterizes the respon- sible and proactive public finances pursued by the Takaichi Cabinet … Attempts at economic coercion are now becoming apparent, whereby con- trol over upstream materials in global supply chains – on which the world depends and which are widely used in Japan’s strategy for security and growth
ing domestically produced energy. We will use decarbonised power sources to the greatest possible extent while ensur- ing supply chain resilience, premised on the understanding of local communities and due consideration for the environ- ment … As for renewable energies, we will build supply chains domestically for per- ovskite solar cells and next-generation geothermal power plants, working in cooperation with allies and like-minded countries … To tackle climate change, a challenge faced by the entire world, we will press forward in making bold investments in green transformation (GX) from the per- spective of strategic investments that enhance resilience against potential crises, and we will link decarbonisation to growth … The increasing severity and frequency of natural disasters has become an issue worldwide, with the impact of climate change a contributing factor. We will push ahead with Reiwa-era measures to enhance national resilience … As competition among nations intensifies, grows more complex, and becomes the norm, the free, open, and stable international order we have long embraced is now being profoundly shaken. In this context, our country is facing the most severe and complex secu- rity environment of the post-war era. China has been intensifying its unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, while expand- ing and intensifying its military activities in the areas surrounding Japan. North Korea continues to pursue improvements in its nuclear and missile capa- bilities. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues … North Korea has dis-
Furthermore, the arena of diplomacy and security is expanding into new domains, including outer space, cyber- space, and the cognitive domain … We will strategically evolve our FOIP [Free and Open Indo-Pacific] initiatives by reinforcing our economic foundations, including strengthening our data infra- structure and enhancing the resilience of supply chains for critical goods; creat- ing opportunities for economic growth through public-private partnerships; and expanding cooperation aimed at foster- ing regional peace and stability, including through enlarging the scale of our Offi- cial Security Assistance (OSA) and Official Development Assistance (ODA) … Maintaining and expanding a rules-based free trading system is a cornerstone of Japan’s economic diplo- macy. From a strategic perspective, we will seek to expand the membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partner- ship (CPTPP) and pursue amendments to the Agreement while firmly upholding its high standards … In addition, with the Japan-U.S. Alliance as the cornerstone, we will work hand in hand with countries with whom we share fundamental values and principles such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. We will further deepen multilateral security cooperation frameworks … With regard to China, it is the con- sistent policy of the Takaichi Cabinet to comprehensively advance a Mutu- ally Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests and to build a constructive and stable bilateral relationship. As China is an important neighbouring country … we will continue communication and respond calmly and appropriately from the perspective of our national interests … It is important to bring Russia’s aggres- sion against Ukraine to an early end. With that in mind, while fully respecting the will of Ukraine, we will continue to support Ukraine in cooperation with like- minded countries. Moreover, although we find Japan-Russia relations in a difficult situation, there is no change in the policy of the Government of Japan to resolve the territorial issue and conclude a peace treaty. Policy Speech to the Diet, 20 February 2026. Approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
commercial products – is used to attempt to force other countries to comply with certain claims. Com- petition in cyberspace, maritime, and outer space realms is also escalating. It is incumbent upon us to ensure Japan’s strategic autonomy and indispen- sability … It is imperative for us to fur-
patched troops to Russia, and there are concerns that there may be nuclear- and missile-related technolo- gies transferred from
Russia to North Korea in return. China is also
ther the usage of energy con- servation technologies while also secur-
strengthening its military coopera- tion with Russia.
15 globalgovernancemedia.org
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