Deutsche Welle
December 16, 2022

Japan approves a historic new military build-up

Japan on Friday approved a new national security strategy – one of the country’s largest defense shake-ups since World War II.

This is a marked shift from the country’s pacifist approach [sic], which has dominated its political discourse for decades.

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The cabinet approved three documents which outlined the strategy shift – the National Security Strategy (NSS), the National Defense Program Guidelines, and the Mid-Term Defense Program.

The move will now ramp up Japan’s security expenditure from 1% of GDP to NATO’s standard of 2% of GDP by 2027.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday said that Japan’s goal to increase defense investments would “strengthen and modernize the US-Japan alliance.”

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the move showed “Japan’s staunch commitment to upholding the international rules-based order and a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

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Japan raises counter-strike capacity

The most closely watched changes will be the acquisition of what Japan calls “counter-strike capacity.” This is the ability to strike other nations that may threaten Japan’s safety.

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As per reports, the country will now buy up to 500 US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles which can reach a distance of 1,250 kilometers (775 miles).

Tokyo will also triple the number of military units equipped with ballistic missile interception capabilities.

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Japan’s Self-Defence Forces (SDF) will be reorganized and placed under a newly appointed permanent joint command to respond more quickly to emergencies.

By March 2024, Japan’s military personnel will be permitted to use civilian ports and airports.

According to reports by the newspaper Yomiuri, which said that it had seen the draft of the plan, Tokyo will spend close to $22 billion towards cyber warfare operations and $14 billion on space capabilities.

Japan’s new hardline approach towards China and Russia

The defense revamp has significantly hardened the government’s language towards China and Russia.

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Meanwhile, Japan, which once sought enhanced ties and cooperation with Russia, now warns Moscow of its military posture in Asia and calls its proximity to China – “a strong security concern.”

Earlier in October, Japan joined its Western allies in imposing sanctions over Russia’s Ukraine invasion.

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With 120 active bases, Japan has the highest number of US bases in the world followed by Germany with 119.

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Standard Missile-3 missile interceptors of the sort provided by the U.S. to NATO members and to partners like Japan, Australia and South Korea: