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North Korea Warns of 'Military Options' over Japan Rearmament

On Tuesday, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi urged Japan to reinforce its military with a "sense of urgency and crisis," as the government raised defense spending 9.7% to $62.2 billion in 2025, its highest share of GDP since 1958.
Tokyo expanded its offensive capacity by relaxing arms export rules in April 2026 and operationalizing "counterstrike capabilities," including long-range Tomahawk missiles and surface-to-ship systems deployed to bases in Kumamoto and Shizuoka.
Pyongyang's leadership warned Wednesday that it could adopt "additional military options," as Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accused Japan of accelerating its "transformation into a war state."
Around 27,000 protesters gathered in Tokyo on July 10 outside parliament, while atomic bomb survivor Masashi Ieshima argued that the military buildup "is no different from recreating the arms race that led the country toward World War II."
Despite the government's efforts, professor Koichi Nakano of Sophia University argues the "China threat" narrative is "not convincing" to the public, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration struggles to balance security needs with Japan's pacifist identity.

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N Korea warns of ‘military options’ over Japan arming

The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un yesterday accused Japan of “transformation into a war state” as Tokyo beefs up its military stance in the Pacific.Japan has been moving away from its post-World War II pacifist status — increasing military spending, ramping up defense pacts and fielding

7 hours ago·Taipei, Taiwan

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Deutsche Welle

Center

Hiroshima survivors warn against Japan's rearmament

On the anniversary of the atomic bombings, survivors and activists tell DW Japan's military buildup risks eroding its longstanding commitment to pacifism.

10 hours ago·Bonn, Germany

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Zeit Online

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North Korea Military: North Korea Wants to Expand Its Own Army because of Japan's Armament

North Korea wants to create "additional military options" because of the "threat" by arming the Japanese army. Japan is developing into a "war state".

13 hours ago·Germany

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Euronews

Center

North Korea warns of 'military options' over Japan rearmament drive

Japan has been gradually moving away from its post-World War II pacifist status, increasing military spending, ramping up defence pacts and deploying missile launchers to its outer islands.

13 hours ago·Lyon, France

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