October 29, 2025

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on October 28 in her first face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump expressed her intent to drastically boost Japan’s military capabilities and dramatically increase its military budget.

Later in the day at a press conference in the Diet building, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira criticized PM Takaichi for being willing to potentially accept the Trump administration’s demand that Japan raise its military spending to at least 3.5% of GDP.

Regarding the fact that PM Takaichi and President Trump delivered speeches on the USS Geroge Washington aircraft carrier at the U.S. Yokosuka Naval Base, Koike pointed out that PM Takaichi became the first Japanese leader to announce to U.S. troops aboard a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that she will enhance Japan’s military capabilities. He severely criticized her, stating, “PM Takaichi’s announcement is totally unacceptable as it will send a very dangerous message to the world regarding Japan’s remilitarization.”

Koike also referred to Takaichi’s remark in which she expressed her determination to make the Japan-U.S. alliance, which she described as the “greatest alliance in the world”, stronger than ever by working together with President Trump. He criticized PM Takaichi for being submissive to President Trump, who mindlessly tramples upon the international order which was established based on the UN Charter and international law, and pushing forward with further military expansion. He stressed that this will pose a grave threat not only to peace and stability in Japan and East Asia but also to people’s livelihoods and Japan’s economy overall. He said, “It is absolutely unforgivable for PM Takaichi to make a promise to President Trump on such an important matter without Diet discussions and without explanation to the general public.”

Koike stated, “The JCP will firmly oppose the proposed huge military buildup and the strengthening of the Japan-U.S. alliance,” and added that the party will push the government to work to create an East Asia without a fear of war through Article 9-based peace diplomacy which takes into consideration the whole of Asia.