Japan’s strategic awakening is driven by the expanding cooperation of authoritarian powers, including Iran, which has supplied drones to Russia and collaborated with North Korea on missile technology. This convergence makes developments in the Middle East increasingly relevant to Japan’s wider security environment, according to Israel’s ambassador-designate to Japan.
Since 2022, Japan has undertaken its most significant security transformation since the end of World War II. This shift involves a sharp rise in defense spending, the acquisition of new capabilities, strengthened intelligence structures, and centralized strategic decision-making.
Japan is redefining self-defense for a more dangerous world, rather than abandoning its pacifist traditions. Both Japan and Israel are functioning democracies operating in regions heavily pressured by authoritarian powers.
Israel faces Iran and its proxy forces, while Japan confronts China, North Korea, and Russia. Both nations also maintain close working relationships with the United States, whose alliances and partnerships are central to stability in both the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific.
The Authoritarian Axis
China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea do not constitute a formal alliance, but their cooperation is growing. Iran has supplied drones to Russia, and North Korea has supported Moscow’s war effort. China provides diplomatic and economic backing to both Russia and Iran.
Tehran and Pyongyang have long cooperated on missile technology and sanctions evasion. As a result, events in East Asia increasingly impact the Middle East, and vice versa.
For Japan, Iran is no longer merely a Middle Eastern country or a potential energy supplier. Its expanding cooperation with China, Russia, and North Korea directly links Middle Eastern developments to Japan’s broader security concerns.
The Middle East itself is undergoing changes, with the Abraham Accords establishing a new framework for regional cooperation. Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco are developing partnerships in technology, infrastructure, trade, energy, and security.
This development is part of a wider shift toward enhanced connectivity between Asia, the Gulf, Israel, and Europe. The future of global power depends not only on traditional energy sources but also on critical minerals, semiconductors, rare earths, batteries, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and secure supply chains.
Japan, Israel, and the Abraham Accords countries are investing heavily in advanced technologies, logistics, cybersecurity, and economic diversification, recognizing these critical dependencies.
Civilizational Defense Capabilities
Israel brings unique experience in missile defense, counter-drone warfare, cybersecurity, intelligence integration, and national resilience. These capabilities were developed under harsh conditions, but they are increasingly relevant to countries facing new forms of warfare and strategic competition from authoritarian regimes.
Japan contributes technological sophistication, industrial capacity, economic strength, and a growing ability to contribute to regional security. Together, Japan and Israel can cooperate on issues that will define the 21st century, including critical infrastructure, cyber resilience, maritime security, supply-chain protection, critical minerals, and defense innovation.
The opportunity extends beyond bilateral relations. Projects such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor offer a framework for connecting India, the Gulf, Israel, and Europe through transportation, energy, digital, and technological networks. This initiative is described as a strategic project designed to strengthen connectivity, secure supply chains, and reduce dependence on authoritarian powers.
Israel’s foreign policy conversation has historically focused almost exclusively on the United States, Europe, and its immediate neighborhood. These arenas will remain essential, but the future of global politics will increasingly be shaped in Asia.
Japan, as one of the world’s leading democracies, a crucial American ally, and an advanced technological power, represents a significant strategic opportunity for Israel. The writer is Israel’s ambassador-designate to Japan, CEO of the Euro-Med Middle East Council, and a lecturer in international relations at Tel Aviv University.