‘China in mind’: Japan mulls beefing up military as Ukraine war rings alarm

Country could double spending and acquire first-strike' capability in shift away from defensive postwar posture

Weeks after he became Japan's prime minister last year, Fumio Kishida pulled on a dark green bomber jacket, the hinomaru flag emblazoned on his sleeve, and climbed into a tank.

Official photos show him displaying an awkward smile for his audience at Camp Asaka - the men and women of the the country's Self-Defence Forces - an indication, perhaps, that postwar Japanese leaders and military hardware have not always been easy bedfellows.