Center for Maritime Strategy – Japan’s shift toward acquiring offensive capabilities is a necessary response to the increasingly complex security environment in the Indo-Pacific. The blurred distinction between offensive and defensive capabilities, particularly in naval warfare, makes it crucial for Japan to enhance its deterrence posture. Restricting Japan’s military to purely defensive measures ignores strategic realities and risks undermining its security. To safeguard both Japanese and broader regional security, Tokyo must prioritize acquiring offensive capabilities that pave the way for effective deterrence by denial and punishment in the long term.