Japan Defense Minister

Japan's defense minister has once more drawn attention to the country's 'nuclear taboo,' questioning long-standing restrictions around discussing nuclear weapons policy. The remarks reopen a sensitive debate in Japan, the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings, where talk of nuclear deterrence or armament remains politically fraught. Observers are watching whether the comments signal a broader shift in Tokyo's defense posture amid regional security concerns.

An adviser to Japan's prime minister says the planned expansion of defense spending will likely be spread over many years and should not become a source of significant market anxiety in any single year. The remarks come as Japan carries out a major, multiyear build-up of its military budget, raising questions among investors about how the costs will be absorbed.