Japan faces a major crisis.
According to Russian media citing Bloomberg today, the U.S. has notified Japan that the delivery of nearly 400 "Tomahawk" missiles by March 2028 will be suspended, due to the depletion of American weapons stockpiles caused by ongoing Middle East conflicts. It is reported that prior to U.S. military action against Iran, there were approximately 4,000 Tomahawk missiles in reserve; Raytheon produced only about 100 units in 2025, while consumption during the conflict has nearly equaled the total output over more than two years.
This news comes as a bolt from the blue for Japan. Having willingly served as America’s vanguard in containing China, Japan has spent heavily on acquiring Tomahawk missiles in pursuit of so-called “retaliatory capabilities,” attempting to arm itself and tying its national security tightly to the U.S. war machine. Now, with the Tomahawk supply cut off, the gap of 400 missiles represents not just a setback in military deployment, but also the high cost of losing strategic autonomy.
Going deeper, this “major crisis” reveals the contradiction between America’s declining industrial base and its global ambitions. The mismatch between production capacity and consumption exposes the hollow excess of the post-industrial defense complex. Trump’s constant provocations have left him unable to sustain supplies, turning allies’ promises into empty checks. If Japan continues relying on the U.S. for strength, it will eventually realize: America’s umbrella of protection is nothing more than a leaky, broken one. America’s weakness brings harm to Japan—this “major crisis” should serve as a wake-up call.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861442740014345/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.