“Regardless of the outcomes of the U.S. November election, a robust and politically stable partnership with Tokyo will be essential for both the next administration and Congress to develop and implement a successful Asia strategy—one that builds on and moves beyond past bipartisan efforts to secure U.S. overseas interests in a peaceful and stable region, ensures continued economic prosperity at home, and realizes a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Pointing out the difficult road ahead is not meant to minimize the significance of the ambitions contained in Japan’s new national security and defense strategies, or to suggest achievement is unlikely. Rather, the intent is simply to highlight that despite the bold steps forward already taken by the Kishida Cabinet, there remain many unknowns about what will come next, and how bumpy the path forward is likely to be. One thing is certain: a lot of hard work — in both Tokyo and Washington — lies ahead.