Why Japan and Germany Are Ready to Fight Again
It’s not just the Ukraine war. Unlike in the past, less worrisome figures are now driving the push for a stronger defense — and for sounder reasons.
A welcome sight.
Photographer: Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images
When German Chancellor Olaf Scholz traveled to Asia in late April, he bypassed China, Germany’s biggest Asian trading partner, in favor of Japan — and with good reason. The two former Axis powers are aiming at closer military cooperation, spurred by concerns over China’s expansionism in East Asia and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Germany sent a frigate to Japan last year for joint naval exercises. Both countries have pledged to boost their defense spending.
Not long ago, many people would have been alarmed at such a turn of events, not least in Germany and Japan, still haunted by bitter memories of their bellicose past. The fact that opposition has been muted is a good sign — and has much to do with who exactly is driving this momentous shift.