Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has been making waves this week. She pushed the envelope with sharp comments on Taiwan, only to call for dialogue days later. This apparent flip-flop has experts talking about a deliberate “salami slicing” defense strategy.
In practice, salami slicing means making lots of small, incremental moves—each one uncontroversial on its own—but together they add up to a big shift. For Japan, that could mean tweaking defense budgets, expanding joint drills, or loosening limits in Article 9 of its pacifist constitution—thin slices of change that slowly normalize military buildup. 🐟⚔️
Observers point out that Japan’s far-right factions have long eyed a more robust self-defense posture. Under Takaichi, these ideas seem to be moving from theory to reality. While supporters celebrate stronger security ties with allies, critics warn that each slice chips away at decades of postwar peace ideals.
As regional tensions simmer—with Tokyo juggling ties with the Chinese mainland and close coordination with partners across Asia—every speech, budget report, and diplomatic meeting becomes part of the story. Will Japan stick to its pacifist roots, or keep slicing its way toward a more assertive defense? Stay tuned: December’s budget session could reveal the next cut. 🎬🔍
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
