Germany, Japan Accelerate Rearmament 80 Years After WWII as G7 Meeting Spurs Deeper Defense Ties
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 14
Germany, Japan Accelerate Rearmament 80 Years After WWII as G7 Meeting Spurs Deeper Defense Ties
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 14
Summary
Germany and Japan are rapidly rebuilding their militaries and tightening defense cooperation, with leaders expected to push that effort further at this week’s G7 meeting in Evian, France.
Fears of a more aggressive China and Russia — along with renewed unease about relying on the United States for security — are driving Berlin and Tokyo closer together.
Their cooperation already includes sharing military know-how, technology and weapons such as drones and helicopters, supporting each country’s broader rearmament plans.
The alignment marks a sharp shift 80 years after World War II, but both governments frame it as a defensive partnership tied to support for Ukraine, concern over China and North Korea, and a rules-based international order.
As Germany and Japan rearm, could their defensive alliance inadvertently spark a new global arms race with Russia and China?
With pacifism abandoned for military buildup, what are the hidden economic and social costs for citizens in Germany and Japan?
Will this new alliance of middle powers truly uphold international law, or simply create another bloc in a fractured world?
Germany and Japan’s $130 Billion Rearmament: How Pacifist Powers Are Reshaping Global Security in 2026
Overview
Germany and Japan are rapidly changing their defense policies in response to a worsening global security environment. Both countries are moving away from their traditional pacifist stances and constitutional limits, accelerating their military buildup. This shift is part of a broader trend of rising defense spending across Europe, which has continued since Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea. The United States has also pressured NATO allies, including Germany, to increase their defense contributions. Russia sees these changes as a threat to global security and a reversal of World War II outcomes, highlighting the growing tensions and shifting alliances in today's world.