ON POLITICAL REALISM OF JAPAN'S NEW NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY

In the current international situation, national security issues are becoming especially relevant and require special attention from states. In December 2022, the Japanese government adopted a new National Security Strategy (NSS), together with which the National Defense Strategy (NDS) and the Defense Buildup Program (DBP) were approved. Japan's departure from its long-standing policy of self-defense marks a turning point driven by external threats on a regional and global scale. The new National Security Strategy of Japan cites the intensive development of missile technology and military activities of North Korea, China's foreign policy, its military actions, as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine as an external threat. Faced with threats from the south, west and north simultaneously, Tokyo found itself in the most difficult situation since the end of the global conflict in the middle of the 20th century. Tokyo intends to address the emerging challenges identified in Japan's new national security strategy documents through expanded military and diplomatic measures. Japan, which previously adhered to a policy of self-defense, is now taking more active steps to strengthen its security. This is expressed, first of all, in the increase of the defense budget. The purpose of the study is to analyze the new National Security Strategy of Japan through the prism of the theory of political realism. The article analyzes the issues of the previous (NSS, 2013) and the new National Security Strategy of Japan (NSS, 2022) aimed at strengthening the country's defense capability. The authors conclude that changes in Japan's 2013 and 2022 national defense strategies are due to increased external threats. In response to these challenges, Tokyo is forced to revise its security policy, taking measures both domestically and internationally. Historical and comparative analysis of the discourse of the selected topic includes research by Japanese, foreign and Russian-speaking experts and the opinions of officials, politicians, and diplomats. The comparative study will contribute to understanding the realistic capabilities of the middle Powers in minimizing external threats.