Germany, Japan Rebuild Military Power With €100 Billion Push as Asian Tensions Deepen
Updated
Updated · IDN-InDepthNews · Jun 1
Germany, Japan Rebuild Military Power With €100 Billion Push as Asian Tensions Deepen
2 articles · Updated · IDN-InDepthNews · Jun 1
Summary
Germany has set up a €100 billion Bundeswehr fund while Japan is carrying out its biggest defence buildup since 1945, marking a sharp break from decades of postwar military restraint.
The shift is driven by a more volatile security environment — Germany is moving to meet NATO’s 2% GDP defence target, while Japan cites China’s military rise, North Korea’s missiles and Indo-Pacific uncertainty.
Berlin’s program includes F-35 jets, tank and air-defence upgrades and deeper European defence projects; Tokyo has raised military spending by more than 20% over five years and is adding long-range strike capabilities.
Protests outside the Reichstag and Japan’s Diet show domestic unease that stronger armed forces could erode postwar identities built on anti-militarism, diplomacy and constitutional restraint.
The rearmament of two former Axis powers underscores a broader return of hard-power politics, reviving debates over war memory, alliance dependence and nuclear security.
Will massive defense budgets secure nations from future wars, or leave them vulnerable to today's climate and economic crises?
With the U.S. security guarantee in doubt, can its allies rearm without inadvertently triggering a wider global conflict?
Germany and Japan’s $500 Billion Military Modernization: A Historic Shift Reshaping Global Security in 2026
Overview
Germany and Japan are making a historic shift by modernizing their militaries, moving away from decades of post-World War II restraint and pacifism. Germany is breaking its fiscal restraint, rapidly building up its defense and becoming a leading military power within NATO, aiming to contribute more to collective security and strengthen its international presence. At the same time, Japan is also moving beyond its pacifist stance to boost its defense capabilities. Together, these actions highlight a broader trend of major economic powers investing heavily in military strength, marking a pivotal moment in global security dynamics.