Takako Hikotani, a representative from the Asia Society Policy Institute, delves into Japan’s evolving defense strategies amid rising geopolitical tensions. She discusses how the war in Ukraine has shifted public attitudes towards security and the increased military threats from China. The podcast highlights Japan's complex balancing act between defense and diplomacy, its enhanced military collaboration with the U.S., and ambitions for deeper Pacific security partnerships. Hikotani also addresses Japan's unique challenges as the sole Asian G7 member in the global defense arena.