Posted on Dec 16, 2022
Eyeing China, Japan lifts longtime restrictions to allow major defense buildup
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https://www.npr.org/2022/12/16/ [login to see] /japan-defense-spending-weapons-buildup-rearming
Japan has made a significant policy change to allow it to get the ability to strike other nations, a move widely seen as a major step toward rearming the nation more than seven decades since it demilitarized after World War II.
As Japan's relations with China worsen and the threat it perceives from its much larger neighbor heightens, the Japanese government gave a green light Friday to proposals it has been debating sporadically since at least 1956.
Japan had avoided obtaining strike capabilities, so as not to violate Japan's post-war constitution, which renounces the right — and the means — to wage war, and to avoid provoking its neighbors.
At a press conference after the documents' release, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida argued that Japan must keep pace with other nations' advances in missile technology.
"In such a severe environment," he said, "counterstrike capability, which can deter an attack, or force an enemy to stop one, is a capability which will become increasingly vital."
Japan has made a significant policy change to allow it to get the ability to strike other nations, a move widely seen as a major step toward rearming the nation more than seven decades since it demilitarized after World War II.
As Japan's relations with China worsen and the threat it perceives from its much larger neighbor heightens, the Japanese government gave a green light Friday to proposals it has been debating sporadically since at least 1956.
Japan had avoided obtaining strike capabilities, so as not to violate Japan's post-war constitution, which renounces the right — and the means — to wage war, and to avoid provoking its neighbors.
At a press conference after the documents' release, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida argued that Japan must keep pace with other nations' advances in missile technology.
"In such a severe environment," he said, "counterstrike capability, which can deter an attack, or force an enemy to stop one, is a capability which will become increasingly vital."
Eyeing China, Japan lifts longtime restrictions to allow major defense buildup
Posted from npr.org
Japan
China
Weapons
WWII World War Two
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, meanwhile, accused Tokyo of "hyping up the 'China threat' to find an excuse for its military buildup."
The policy is outlined in revisions to three national security strategy documents. The document also calls for boosting defense spending to roughly 2% of gross domestic product by 2027, after decades of being capped at 1%."...
..."Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, meanwhile, accused Tokyo of "hyping up the 'China threat' to find an excuse for its military buildup."
The policy is outlined in revisions to three national security strategy documents. The document also calls for boosting defense spending to roughly 2% of gross domestic product by 2027, after decades of being capped at 1%."...
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MSG Stan Hutchison
Given their history, I am sure this will be disquieting to China. Let's hope it does not get out of control.
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SGT (Join to see)
MSG Stan Hutchison agree... however, you can blame them from being more prepared...
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This is very interesting! I would not blame them of wanting to arm themselves! The Japanese are located within striking distance of potential enemies!
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Haven't they been expanding and modernizing their military since somewhere back around 2005/2006
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COL Randall C.
Yes (actually longer than that, but they've increased efforts on modernization in the last 20 years), but everything they have done is through the lens of "self-defense of the country".
In a few cases, it's a distinction without a difference, but one area that they have lacked is the ability to attack enemy staging areas/bases much outside of the homeland (i.e., hundreds of miles away). This is what has changed - looking at ground-launched ballistic missiles or cruise missiles with ranges to hit enemy targets.
Although there have been internal debates since the 50s about expanding their capability, about five years ago the discussions were brought to the forefront with North Korea's ballistic missiles being fired through (as opposed to over) Japan's airspace.
In a few cases, it's a distinction without a difference, but one area that they have lacked is the ability to attack enemy staging areas/bases much outside of the homeland (i.e., hundreds of miles away). This is what has changed - looking at ground-launched ballistic missiles or cruise missiles with ranges to hit enemy targets.
Although there have been internal debates since the 50s about expanding their capability, about five years ago the discussions were brought to the forefront with North Korea's ballistic missiles being fired through (as opposed to over) Japan's airspace.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
COL Randall C. - I know they have a modern and first class Navy (My son was stationed with 7th Fleet Forward in Sasabo, I like to keep up with what goes one in his AO). They aren't building it to project power half way around the world, but their main threats aren't that far away. Big submarine fleet, AIP rather than nuclear, and they are very Destroyer heavy.
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