Updates on Japanese Defense Documents Arrive
On December 16, the Japanese government approved three new defense documents, including the long awaited National Security Strategy (NSS, Kokka Anzen Hoshō Senryaku). Centered around the idea of having a “counterattack capability” to hit enemy missile launch bases, the new policy targets now include doubling of Japanese defense budget to 2% of country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
The international security environment has changed rapidly due to the invasion of Ukraine and rising tensions around Taiwan, all acting to put pressure to transform Japan’s security policy. Building a self-sustaining defense system and joint deterrence with the United States are seen as enhancements of Japan’s capability to respond to threats in East Asia.
NSS — entailing the basic policy for Japan’s diplomacy and defense formulated in 2013 — has been revised for the first time. A new national defense strategy and defense buildup plan were also formulated.
The new NSS states that Japan’s environment is “the most severe since the World War II.” As Japan faces military threats from North Korea and China, which have repeatedly launched missiles, NSS emphasizes that “Japan will solidify its preparations for the worst-case scenario.”
As Japan’s key ally, the United States advocates “integrated deterrence,” in which US works together with its allies to deal with movements that disrupt the international order. For this purpose, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF, Jieitai) are required to operate together with the US military more than ever, and the new security strategy lays down a roadmap.
Possessing counterattack capability is one of the key themes of the revised three-documents. The Japanese government underlines that this would not mean retaining means of attacking enemy bases. The use of counterattack capability is defined as “the minimum necessary self-defense measures”, and the target is limited to “military targets” such as missile bases. In addition to extending the range of domestically produced missiles, Japan will also purchase US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Under the Japan-US alliance, Japan relies on the US military for counterattack capabilities, with Japan serving as the “shield” and the US as the “spear.” The future strategy of the JSDF is to shift from a missile defense system centered on interception to an “Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD)” that can cooperate with the US military and counterattack on its own.
Regarding cyber defense, the new NSS touches on the need for legislation by referring to “active cyber defense,” which deals with attack sources through monitoring and intrusion, even at the earliest stage. Currently, Japan’s cyber defense focuses on responding after an attack and there is no counterattack mechanism seen in the US and Europe.
For the first time, the three documents included the creation of a permanent joint command center that would coordinate between the Ground, Navy, and Air Self-Defense Forces and the US military. With China in mind, documents also proposed strengthening the JSDF’s ability by doubling the current budget for procurement costs for defense equipment parts and ammunition.
The organization of the JSDF is slated to be upgraded the brigade in the direction of Okinawa. 2,000 personnel will be transferred from the Ground Self-Defense Force in order to increase the number of Air and Sea Self-Defense Force personnel, which are crucial in potential Taiwan contingencies. The Air Self-Defense Force will be reorganized into the “Air Space Self-Defense Force” for the purpose of strengthening space defense.
Regarding China’s current situation, the documents describe thecountry as “the biggest strategic challenge ever.” In light of the Chinese intrusion into territorial waters around Okinawa Prefecture and the Senkaku Islands, the language of the documents is visibly strengthened.
Defense spending for the five years from FY2011 to FY2027 will be increased to 43 trillion yen. This is equivalent to 1.5 times the current defense budget. In FY2027, the national defense budget — including public infrastructure and science and technology research expenses — will appraoch 2% of the current GDP.
In 1976, the Takeo Miki administration had set an upper limit on Japan’s defense budget of 1% of the GDP. Since then, the budget has hardly exceeded 1%. The planned expansion will set the defense spending scale to the same level as the United States and Europe and demonstrate the strengthening of defense capabilities to the outside world.
In 1976, the Japanese government had drawn up the National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG) for the first time against the backdrop of the detente during the Cold War. The new documents aim to break away from the “basic defense force concept,” which had aimed at a well-balanced minimum defense build-up advocated at the time.
Prime Minister Kishida is planning to visit the United States in January 2023. He is expected to directly convey the contents of Japan’s defense enhancement in a meeting with President Biden.
Source: Nikkei (Japanese)
*You can access a summary of the NSS here, NDPG here, and NDS here (all in Japanese).
