Japan's Main Opposition Party Leader Says "If You Insist on Defense Budget Increase, Parliament Must Be Dissolved"

Izumi Genta, Representative of the Constitutional Democratic Party

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Izumi Genta, leader of Japan's main opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, argued that to push through a tax increase for defense budget expansion, the parliament must be dissolved and a general election held.

According to Fuji News Network (FNN), on the 25th, Izumi criticized Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's policy speech during the government questioning session, calling the government's tax increase policy "a reckless decision made without parliamentary deliberation."

Earlier, on the 23rd, Prime Minister Kishida announced in his regular Diet policy speech plans to secure a defense budget of 43 trillion yen (approximately 410 trillion won) over the next five years to pursue the possession of "counterattack capability," with part of the funding to be resolved through tax increases. Counterattack capability means the ability to preemptively strike enemy bases if clear signs of an enemy attack are detected. Since Japan's defeat in World War II in 1945, it has adhered to the principle of exclusive self-defense under its pacifist constitution (allowing minimal self-defense only if attacked), but possessing counterattack capability would break this principle.

Regarding counterattack capability, Izumi stated it is "a minimally necessary defense measure to block (enemy) missile attacks" and emphasized that "compliance with international law is a natural premise."

He further argued, "If you want to raise taxes to secure defense funds, dissolve the House of Representatives and seek the people's confidence," insisting that a general election must be held again. In response to Izumi's remarks, Prime Minister Kishida replied, "I will make an appropriate judgment as a matter within the prime minister's authority."

The Constitutional Democratic Party announced the day after the Kishida Cabinet revised three major security documents, including the National Security Strategy, on the 19th of last month and declared possession of counterattack capability, that it could not accept abandoning the exclusive self-defense principle.

Koichiro Genba, former Foreign Minister and member of the Constitutional Democratic Party, expressed concerns in a statement, saying, "While acknowledging the necessity of increasing the defense budget, the Japanese government's exercise of counterattack capability could lead to 'preemptive strikes,' which are prohibited under international law."

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