Ju-min Park and Tim Kelly

TOKYO (Reuters – Japan’s ruling Party has pledged to double its defence expenditures in an unprecedented election. It also emphasized the nation’s urgency to buy missiles, stealth fighters and other weapons that will deter China’s military from the disputed East China Sea.

In its platform policy, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), included the goal to spend 2% of the GDP — about $100 billion — on the military in order to be ahead of the national election.

An economy in crisis and Japan’s debt burden mean experts aren’t expecting Fumio to increase Japan’s spending. It is an indication that Fumio Kishida, the new prime minister of the pacifist country could abandon his commitment to keeping military spending below 1% of its GDP. This number has been used for many decades and it eases concerns at home as well as abroad over any return of militarism which led Japan into World War Two.

Yoichiro Sato, an international relations professor at Ritsumeikan APAC University, said, “LDP conservative leadership want the party give it up.” He was speaking about the spending limit de facto that he called, “sacrosanct to Japanese liberals.”

He added, “They are setting direction. That’s what conservatives want.”

The United States is pushing allies to increase their defense expenditures; Japan’s commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization members would see a 2% increase in GDP.

As Japan’s public mood shifts from concern about rearming, to increasing alarm over China’s military assertiveness throughout Asia, especially toward Taiwanese, the LDP has issued hawkish remarks.

A survey of 1696 respondents was conducted by business daily in the last year. 86% said China poses a threat for Japan. This is more than 82% who were concerned about North Korea’s nuclear weapons.

Robert Ward of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, London-based researcher said that “putting this in the manifesto recognizes the need to garner support for needed defence policy changes.” “The direction is set now.”

SOUTHWEST THEATRE

Japan’s military strategy focuses on protecting territory at the East China Sea edge. Tokyo and Beijing are locked in an ongoing dispute over uninhabited islands.

Okinawan, Taiwan, as well as the Philippines’ islands, form the First Island Chain. This is what military planners refer to, because it acts as a natural barrier for Chinese operations in Western Pacific.

Japan would be able to buy even more American equipment if it had $50 billion annually extra.

Former Maritime Self Defense Force admiral, and fleet commander Yoji Koda said that the Self Defense Force was well-trained and well-equipped but their sustainability and resilience are one of the greatest problems.” Reuters spoke with Yoji Koda.

Japan’s defense ministry is also seeking money to purchase an indigenous stealth fighter and missiles capable of striking enemy vessels and landing bases over 1,000 km (621 miles). Japan is also enhancing its cyber, space, and electromagnetic warfare capabilities.

“Japan desires to acquire highly sophisticated capabilities in several areas,” Thomas Reich said at Tuesday’s briefing. What’s in the budget, and where it’s headed are what really draw us.

The consortium is led by Britain’s largest defence company Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE 🙂 which manufactures the F-35 fighter.

CARRYING ABE’S TORCH

Surprised observers have been surprised at the speed with which Kishida once was dovish has fallen in tune with conservatives’ national security agenda. But he is carrying on policies pursued by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and supported by conservative lawmakers who helped him https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-shadow-shogun-abe-assured-clout-over-next-pm-kishida-2021-09-30 win the party leadership election last month.

Abe pursued a similar policy with small steps. He enacted security legislations to allow Japanese troops on foreign soil. A ban on exports was lifted and the constitution of war-renouncing Japan was reinterpreted to permit missile strikes against enemy territory.

However, for now the LDP pledge to increase defence spending does not specify how much extra money or when it would reach the 2% mark.

Chuck Jones, an ex-defence industry executive who is familiar with Japan’s military policies said that the real issue was whether Japan could absorb $50 billion more. The concern is that huge sums of money will go to programs or projects doomed for failure, irrelevance or both.

Analysts believe that this lack of information gives the ruling group leeway to change its course.

Tetsuo Kolani, a Senior Research Fellow at Japan Institute of International Affairs stated that there is “opposition even within the LDP.” “We will have elections and we’ll see if public support for the LDP proposal.”