Japan Facing Most Tense Security Environment Since WWII: Prime Minister

One of the most important U.S. allies in Asia just got a new prime minister. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is putting together a stimulus package to support his country's economy and express his stance on China. Here's a closer look at the details. The new prime minister was only sworn in this week and had previously been seen as a supporter of fiscal austerity. But he now stresses his new government's top priority is to exit deflation that has weighed down the country for three decades. He also vowed Friday to keep building ties with like-minded nations, including deeper security cooperation with South Korea. He said he would work with China where possible while confronting it on issues of disagreement. Japan's new leader pledging to stick to its alliance with the U.S. Friday to defend against threats from China, Russia and North Korea. He said the country is facing the most tense security environment since World War II, adding there's a need to bolster Japan's military. Violation of Japanese airspace by Chinese and Russian warplanes have been observed. This is a serious violation of sovereignty, North Korea's advancement of missile technology and repeated firings more often than ever, on top of developing long-range missiles. He told President Biden that he wants to strengthen the alliance on Wednesday, though he stopped short of talking about establishing a NATO-like alliance in Asia, an idea he previously advocated for. NATO is the world's most powerful military alliance. Japan's foreign minister said an Asian version of a NATO is a possibility in the future.