In his inaugural policy speech on Friday, Japan’s new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba cautioned that “today’s Ukraine could become tomorrow’s East Asia,” raising concerns over regional security.
Speaking to the Japanese parliament, he questioned why deterrence failed in Ukraine and highlighted the increasing divisions within the international community, particularly in light of tensions in the Middle East.
While Ishiba did not mention China directly, his remarks reflected the deteriorating relations between Japan and Beijing, particularly as China asserts military presence in disputed territories. The situation around Taiwan is particularly alarming, as Beijing claims the democratic island as its territory and has not ruled out the use of force for reunification.
Japan has also drawn China’s ire with plans to significantly increase its defense spending and strengthen security ties with the U.S. and regional allies like the Philippines and South Korea.
In recent months, tensions escalated with a confirmed Chinese military aircraft incursion into Japanese airspace and Japan’s warship navigating the Taiwan Strait for the first time.
Ishiba has advocated for a regional military alliance similar to NATO, asserting that the security environment in Asia is the most challenging since World War II.
On the domestic front, Ishiba described Japan’s declining birth rate as a “quiet emergency.” The country has one of the oldest populations globally, with a birth rate of just 1.2—far below the 2.1 needed for population maintenance.
He emphasized the need for government measures to support families, such as flexible work hours.
Ishiba also announced plans to increase the national minimum wage to 1,500 yen ($10.20) per hour within the decade, nearly a 43% rise from the current rate. He indicated that boosting incomes would be part of a new monetary stimulus package aimed at assisting local governments and low-income households.
Additionally, Ishiba addressed concerns over the imperial succession crisis, urging discussions on potential reforms to Japan’s male-only succession laws.
With only one young male heir, he underscored the urgency of stabilizing the imperial family’s future, advocating for a broader debate on female succession, which enjoys significant public support.