The 2022 National Security Strategy and Japan’s New Defense Posture with the Hon. Iwao Horii

On January 11, Sasakawa USA hosted the hybrid briefing and discussion, “The 2022 National Security Strategy and Japan’s New Defense Posture,“ featuring remarks by the Hon. Iwao Horii, Member of the House of Councillors of Japan. In the event, the Hon. Horii shared timely insights on Japan’s newly adopted National Security Strategy (NSS) and two supporting documents, the National Defense Strategy (NDS) and Defense Buildup Program. The adoption of this new strategic document—the first update to be issued since Japan’s inaugural NSS in 2013—constitutes a watershed moment for Japan’s defense planning, which will incorporate major transformations such as doubling defense spending to 2% of GDP and the acquisition of counterstrike capabilities. Hon. Horii outlined the major points of the new NSS and opened the floor for an engaging discussion on the implications for alliance cooperation moving forward.