"Must Break Free from US Dependence"... Japan Changes Security Strategy Framework by Possessing 'Counterattack Capability'

Expert Meeting Delivers Report to Prime Minister
Recommendations for Retaliatory Capability and Missile Upgrades
Push to Shift Security Strategy from US Dependence

Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Japanese government has decided to shift its existing security policy direction, which focused on defense against enemy attacks. With escalating external security crises such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and rising tensions around the Taiwan Strait, Japan plans to strengthen its defense capabilities by acquiring "counterattack capabilities" that can strike enemy missile bases.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun on the 23rd, Prime Minister Kishida received the final report of the expert meeting on diplomacy and security related to defense capabilities from former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sasae Kenichiro at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo the previous day. The Japanese government plans to revise three major strategic documents, including the National Security Strategy, based on this report.

The report contains Japan's sense of crisis regarding the current international situation and its goals for national security. It identifies the missile technology advancements of China and North Korea as threats and recommends independently strengthening security capabilities. It points out the limitations of the current strategy of entrusting safety to the United States amid the military technological advancements of neighboring countries.

It urged that to have defense capabilities capable of self-defense, Japan must possess "counterattack capabilities" that allow striking enemy missile bases. Currently, Japan can only maintain defensive forces capable of defending against enemy threats under the principle of "exclusive defense" based on its pacifist constitution. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has emphasized the possession of "counterattack capabilities," arguing that strikes should be possible even if the enemy has not launched missiles but an attack is deemed certain. In fact, this can be interpreted as enabling preemptive strikes against enemies.

The report also called for increasing defense spending to fundamentally strengthen defense capabilities. It suggested raising Japan's defense budget, currently about 1% of GDP, to NATO levels of 2% within five years to counter the military buildup of neighboring countries.

As a specific means to defend against China's security threats, securing missile numbers was proposed. The report pointed out that China has placed all of Japan within missile range and argued for upgrading long-range cruise missiles. It also estimated that about 1,000 long-range missiles would be needed to address the military imbalance with China.

Expanding research on AI technology to enhance cyber defense and combat capabilities was also set as a goal. The report emphasized, "We must develop surveillance capabilities to identify the enemy's offensive capabilities, like the United States, rather than just responding after damage occurs."

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun stated that this report signifies that the Japanese government has begun to change its security strategy, which positioned the United States as the spear and Japan as the shield. With increasing security crises such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it was judged that relying solely on enduring until U.S. forces arrive is no longer viable for self-sufficiency. Furthermore, as the U.S. emphasizes sharing security costs among allies, Japan has started to respond to adversaries on an equal footing with the U.S., moving away from unilateral dependence.

However, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun pointed out that securing funding is essential to implement the goals set in the report. Japan's current defense budget is 5.4 trillion yen (approximately 51.65 trillion won), and increasing it to 2% would require more than 5 trillion yen in new annual funding. Although the report suggested tax increases as a funding measure, corporate tax was reportedly removed from the options.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun said, "If funding is not secured stably, the foundation for strengthening defense capabilities could be shaken," and added, "Since the Liberal Democratic Party is currently cautious about tax increases, the government is expected to use the report as persuasive material in party-government negotiations."

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