LDP to Include 'Counterattack Capability' in Upper House Election Pledge... "Need to Check North Korea and China"

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reviews the Self-Defense Forces at the Asaka Garrison of the Ground Self-Defense Force in the Tokyo metropolitan area on November 27, 2021.

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is set to include the possession of a "counterattack capability" (ability to strike enemy bases) as an election pledge. Japan is preparing for the House of Councillors (upper house) election in July.

According to Kyodo News, the LDP argues that in response to the military buildup by neighboring countries such as China and North Korea, it is necessary to possess counterattack capabilities that can destroy enemy bases, military outposts, and command and control functions, including ballistic missile launch sites, by attacking them with bombers or cruise missiles.

The LDP's election pledge also includes plans to increase defense spending to more than 2% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), aiming to reach the required budget level within five years starting from next year.

Additionally, the party intends to realize a constitutional amendment early on to explicitly mention the Self-Defense Forces in the constitution.

As the international situation rapidly changes due to events such as the Ukraine crisis, the number of Japanese citizens supporting the LDP's constitutional amendment proposal?which maintains Article 9's renunciation of war and non-possession of war potential but explicitly recognizes the existence of the Self-Defense Forces?has significantly increased.

In a postal opinion poll conducted by Kyodo News from March to April targeting Japanese voters, 68% expressed the need for constitutional revision, more than double the 30% who said it was unnecessary.

In the diplomatic field, the pledge will include strengthening humanitarian aid to Ukraine and emphasizing cooperation not only with the United States, Australia, and India but also with Europe, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Taiwan to realize a "free and open Indo-Pacific."

The LDP plans to hold a pledge drafting committee meeting on the 30th to adjust the wording and officially announce the pledge after the Diet session closes next month.

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