Tokyo has unexpectedly decided to suspend its participation in the strategic “2+2” security dialogues with Washington, signaling a rare diplomatic friction between the longtime allies. The move comes after demands from the United States for Japan to sharply increase its defense budget, sparking significant discontent within Japanese government circles. Officials in Tokyo view the U.S. pressure as an imposition that threatens to destabilize Japan’s carefully balanced defense policies, specially amid growing economic concerns at home.

Analysts warn that this breakdown could slow down collaborative efforts on critical security issues in the Indo-Pacific region, including territorial disputes and missile defense initiatives. The tensions highlight the complexity of alliance management when financial commitments and strategic priorities diverge. The table below outlines recent defense budget figures and…