The Biden administration on Friday welcomed Japan's new national security strategy, with the White House calling it a "bold and historic step to strengthen and defend the free and open Indo-Pacific." White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan said the new policy envisions "a broad and strong community of partners and allies in support of peace and stability in the region." Japan's intent to significantly increase defense spending will "strengthen and modernize" the U.S.-Japan alliance and "help us and our partners achieve lasting peace, stability, and prosperity," Sullivan wrote. In a separate statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said "Japan's new documents reshape the ability of our alliance to promote peace and protect the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world." Japan on Friday unveiled its biggest military buildup since the second world war with a $320 billion plan. The five-year plan will make Japan the world's third-biggest military spender after the United States and China, based on current budgets.
