Japan's opposition parties struggle to dispute defense buildup

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Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35A Lightning IIs and multiple U.S. planes taxi into position during an "elephant walk" at Misawa Air Base in Aomori, Japan, in May 2022. © U.S. Navy

KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei Asia diplomatic correspondent

January 25, 2023 12:00 JST

TOKYO -- As Japan beefs up its defense capabilities, opposition parties are finding it difficult to challenge the buildup itself, limiting their grievances to procedural issues such as funding and accountability. Raising taxes is unacceptable, say many, while others note that it is not clear what the expanded defense budget will be used for.