As Japan’s security ties grow, defense chief pushes for international bureau

Momentum is growing for creating a bureau within the Defense Ministry that is focused explicitly on boosting international cooperation — a move that would give more prominence to Japan’s bid to turn this cooperation into strategic gains.

Speaking during a recent Lower House Security Committee meeting, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi for the first time said he will seek to create the new bureau, citing growing responsibilities as the ministry builds up defense ties with like-minded nations and as the regional security environment becomes increasingly fraught.

“The Defense Ministry is under considerable strain under the current system — and this situation has already exceeded its limits,” Koizumi said Tuesday.