With the recent 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, global security remains a pressing concern for Japan and the U.S. Washington is managing at least two complex geopolitical conflicts, in Ukraine and the Middle East, while grappling with a new, potentially more sensitive one in Taiwan. Under these conditions, Japan is in a position to play an even greater geopolitical role than simply a regional counterweight to China.
As the postwar international order continues to shift, few actions would do more to further Japan’s national interests than joining the Abraham Accords. This would send a potent signal to the Middle East and the world that Japan is ready to be a long-term partner to building peace in this region. Equally important, it would enhance Japan’s alliance with the U.S. outside the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating Japan’s global relevance.
Doesn’t Japan already have relations with Israel? Yes, and so did Kazakhstan before it joined the Abraham Accords in November. This move signaled that the Accords are no longer merely about making peace with Israel. They are now a means of building and cementing a larger, U.S.-led regional alliance, which includes Israel.
Andrew M. Saidel is CEO of Dynamic Strategies Asia LLC.
Published originally on January 5, 2026. Read the rest of this article at the Wall Street Journal.
