Autore: Elena Asperges – 12/06/2026
Japan’s Remilitarization and Strategic-Industrial Cooperation in the GCAP Programme: Geopolitical Implications for the Italy–United Kingdom–Japan Axis
Elena Asperges*
Abstract -This report analyses the evolution of Japan’s strategic posture within the context of contemporary international security, with a specific focus on the progressive reinterpretation of the constitutional pacifism enshrined in Article 9 and its transformation into a more proactive model. Utilizing a methodological approach based on geopolitical analysis, institutional sources, and think-tank literature, the study examines the transition from a restrictive defensive doctrine to a more assertive strategy, which culminated in the 2022 reforms and the significant increase in military expenditure. Within the Indo-Pacific framework, the report delves into the primary regional threats, particularly the strategic competition with China and the destabilization caused by North Korea, highlighting how these factors have accelerated Tokyo’s international repositioning. In the current geopolitical landscape, the study analyses Japan’s opening toward new European partners and the strengthening of a multilevel cooperation network. A central focus is dedicated to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as a key expression of the integration between the geopolitical and industrial dimensions of security. The program, which involves Italy, the United Kingdom, and Japan, is examined through its technological, strategic, and industrial components, as well as its implications for European technological sovereignty and Europe’s international projection. Finally, the report offers a critical analysis of this trilateral cooperation, evaluating its opportunities and limitations in terms of coordination, economic sustainability, and impact on global balances. The resulting picture shows Japan emerging as an increasingly central actor in international security, while Europe strengthens its strategic role in the Indo-Pacific
Keywords: Japan’s Remilitarization; Strategic-Industrial Cooperation; Technological Sovereignty
Seguita a leggere, scarica l’Analytical Dossier AD_14_2026 ISSN 2704-6419
*Elena Asperges – Corso di Laurea triennale in Scienze Strategiche e della Sicurezza afferente alla SUISS (Scuola Universitaria Interdipartimentale in Scienze Strategiche – Università degli Studi di Torino). Tirocinante presso Vision & Global Trends – International Institute for Global Analyses nell’ambito del progetto Società Italiana di Geopolitica. Il presente Analytical Dossier è il risultato di una ricerca, svolta nel quadro dell’accordo tra Università degli Studi di Torino e Vision & Global Trends relativo ai progetti di formazione e orientamento (convenzione n° 0754/26), con il coordinamento del Dott. Alberto Cossu.