Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Security Advisor: "Defense Budget Must Increase by More Than 2% of GDP"

Late Prime Minister Abe's brother Kishi Nobuo: "Japan's defense is weak, defense budget comparable to NATO needed"
China's fighter jets are 4 times Japan's, submarines 2.6 times

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] The security advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan (hereafter advisor) has argued that more than 2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) should be allocated to defense spending, according to China's state-run Global Times.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Global Times cited Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, reporting on the 21st that Advisor Kishi Nobuo stated the need to increase the defense budget to more than 2% of GDP.

Kishi, the younger brother of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and a former Defense Minister, told Yomiuri Shimbun in an interview that "Japan must respond to threats from three countries: China, Russia, and North Korea," and that Japan is the only country in the world surrounded by such formidable military power, the Global Times reported.

He further acknowledged Japan's defense capabilities are insufficient and argued that Japan must enhance its counterattack capabilities and deterrence.

Advisor Kishi insisted that Japan should raise its defense spending to more than 2% of GDP, pointing out that without securing more than 2%, it would be difficult to complete Japan's defense. He added that the military spending standard set by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is more than 2% of GDP.

The Global Times expressed displeasure, noting that Kishi mentioned China while emphasizing Japan's defense budget increase.

Kishi said, "China has about four times the number of 4th to 5th generation fighter jets compared to Japan, and about 2.6 times the number of submarines," adding that Japan needs fighter jets and submarines comparable to China’s. He also noted that China utilizes science and technology in military technology, whereas Japan does not.

The Global Times explained that Kishi also mentioned the Taiwan issue. He said, "Japan is close to Taiwan, and if China attacks Taiwan, Japan could be drawn into the war and could become a foothold for the war," the Global Times reported. Kishi said Japan should consider what it can do on its own and emphasized the need for sufficient communication between Japan and the United States regarding this matter.

In this context, Fu Zhiping, Deputy Director of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, said, "China and Japan have different scales. The claim that China’s weapons are several times those of Japan is incorrect." He also stated that the cross-strait issue is China’s internal affair, and Japan has clearly recognized since 1972 that China is one. He added that saying Taiwan’s affairs are Japan’s affairs goes against Japan’s diplomatic principles.

The Global Times harshly criticized Japanese right-wing politicians, saying that ahead of the 50th anniversary of China-Japan diplomatic relations, Japanese officials are making remarks that damage bilateral relations without hesitation.

The outlet noted that Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hiroichi recently made outrageous remarks claiming Diaoyu Islands (Japanese name Senkaku) as Japan’s inherent territory, and Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu mentioned the Taiwan Strait issue during talks with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, expressing hostility toward Japan.

China is concerned that during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, the scheduled summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio will include discussions on the Taiwan issue. It also suspects that the U.S. will support revising Japan’s pacifist constitution to strengthen Japan’s military power.

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