Japan Revises 'National Security Strategy'... Possessing 'Counterattack Capability' Is the Biggest Issue

Entering Strategic Document Revision Party-Government Consultations
Jimin Party Proposes Preemptive Strike Capability Level
Komeito Upholds 'Exclusive Defense Principle'
Differences Arise Over Defense Budget Increase

Japan Self-Defense Forces. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Japanese government is set to begin ruling party consultations to revise three major strategic documents, including the National Security Strategy, by the end of this year. The core issues of this discussion are the increase in defense spending and whether to possess a ‘counterattack capability’ to precisely strike enemy missile bases, sparking a tense standoff between the coalition parties, Komeito and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

On the 13th, Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a meeting the previous day at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence with Itsunori Onodera, LDP Security Council Chairman. Prime Minister Kishida is currently coordinating the timing of talks with the LDP and coalition partner Komeito’s parliamentary leaders and instructed Onodera to cooperate with both sides. The Japanese government plans to revise the three major security-related documents?the National Security Strategy, the Mid-Term Defense Program, and the Defense Buildup Program?by the end of this year to strengthen defense capabilities.

However, opinions diverge between the two parties over whether to possess the ‘counterattack capability’ to precisely strike enemy missile bases, making consensus difficult. Initially, the LDP argued that due to the worsening security situation around Japan, it is necessary to have the ability to attack enemy bases from long distances. In contrast, Komeito opposed this, stating that possessing long-range strike capabilities violates Japan’s ‘exclusive defense’ principle based on its pacifist constitution. Currently, Japan is only allowed to maintain defensive forces capable of defending against enemy threats.

In response, the LDP revised the term for the enemy base attack capability to ‘counterattack capability’ to avoid the impression of a preemptive strike, but clashed with Komeito over the timing of such counterattacks.

The LDP defines the timing of counterattack as ‘when the enemy initiates a military attack against Japan,’ meaning that even if the enemy has not launched missiles, strikes can be carried out if an attack is deemed imminent. This can effectively be interpreted as allowing preemptive strikes. On the other hand, Komeito insists that counterattacks should only occur after enemy missile launches, adhering to the exclusive defense principle.

The increase in defense spending is also a major negotiation topic. The Japanese Ministry of Defense requested a defense budget of 5.5947 trillion yen (approximately 54.33 trillion won) for fiscal year 2023, a 3.6% increase from the previous year. This is the largest defense budget ever executed by the Japanese government, accounting for 1% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Regarding this, Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi expressed a negative stance, saying, "It is not right to cut budgets for social security and education, which have large financial demands, while only increasing defense spending. The public is struggling due to COVID-19, and there are limits to revenue." Some LDP lawmakers have advocated issuing deficit bonds to cover the massive defense budget, but Komeito proposed raising corporate taxes and other taxes, arguing that increasing debt is not an option.

Komeito’s cautious stance on increasing defense spending and possessing counterattack capabilities is interpreted as being influenced by its main support base, the Buddhist religious organization Soka Gakkai. Soka Gakkai members, whose main doctrine is ‘peace,’ protested when Komeito agreed in 2015 to reinterpret the constitution to allow collective self-defense.

However, with the security crisis intensifying due to the Russia-Ukraine war and North Korea’s ballistic missile launches, Komeito cannot simply oppose these measures. Komeito parliamentary leader Yosuke Takagi held a press conference the previous day, stating, "There is a need for high-level negotiations due to the considerable scale of defense budget increases and funding issues," and added, "Because this is tied to budget formulation, we want to start negotiations as soon as possible."

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