LDP's General Election Pledge on Dokdo Sovereignty Claims Again

Key figures of the Liberal Democratic Party under Japan's Kishida administration
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has repeated its sovereignty claims over Dokdo ahead of the general election (House of Representatives election) at the end of this month, unveiling a pledge to increase defense spending to more than 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP).

According to Kyodo News and others, on the 12th, the LDP announced a pledge centered on eight areas including diplomacy and security, economic security, COVID-19 measures, and constitutional revision, along with a detailed explanation called the 'Policy Bank (BANK).' The LDP plans to leverage these pledges to appeal to voters in the general election scheduled for the 31st.

First, as a pledge in the diplomacy and security sector, it stated, "We will respond calmly and resolutely to issues concerning our country's (Japan's) sovereignty and honor, as well as the lives, safety, and property of our citizens, including baseless criticism surrounding South Korea's violations of international law and historical awareness."

Repeating the claim that Dokdo is Japanese territory, as in the 2017 general election, it said, "To firmly protect our inherent territory, we will deepen historical and academic research and promote strategic public relations both domestically and internationally."

As partners sharing universal values, it mentioned Australia, India, Europe, and Taiwan, but did not mention South Korea.

Regarding North Korea, it pledged to demand the return of Japanese abductees by utilizing all means including North Korea-Japan summit talks, and to pressure North Korea to completely abandon its nuclear weapons and missiles through cooperation with the international community.

The LDP explicitly stated that it aims to increase defense spending with the premise of 'significantly strengthening defense capabilities,' considering raising it to more than 2% of GDP. Accordingly, Japan's defense budget, which has been restrained within about 1% of GDP, is expected to increase significantly.

It also announced the first revision policy of the 'National Security Strategy,' established as a basic guideline for security policy in the early days of Shinzo Abe's second administration in 2013, and pledged to revise early the 2018 Defense Program Guidelines and the Mid-Term Defense Program.

As a response measure related to the fact that the Chinese Coast Guard is now authorized to use weapons, it specified expanding the Japan Coast Guard system and strengthening coordination with the Self-Defense Forces.

It also stated that it will promote deterrence enhancement, including the capability to intercept ballistic missiles in 'enemy territory,' implying a plan to secure a de facto 'enemy base strike capability.'

In this pledge book, the LDP set 'economic security' as a separate area distinct from diplomatic security, citing the intensifying global technological hegemony competition, and announced plans to enact an 'Economic Security Promotion Act (tentative name)' to prevent technology leakage.

Regarding constitutional revision, it presented four existing amendment proposals including specifying the legal basis for the Self-Defense Forces, and stated that it aims to realize early constitutional revision.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.