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Japan plans for
stronger military
APPROVAL EXPECTED: The Cabinet is likely to vote
on the new plan next week, along with revised defense program guidelines. China
criticized the plan yesterday
AP, TOKYO
Three of the disputed Senkaku
Islands, known as the Diaoyutais in Taiwan ¡X Uotsurijima (Diaoyu ), top;
Minamikojima (Nanxiao), bottom; and Kitakojima (Beixiao) ¡X are seen in the East
China Sea in September last year.
Photo: Reuters / Kyoto
A near-final draft of a new Japanese
national security strategy calls for a stronger military to deal with a rising
China and other growing risks close to home.
The development of the formal security strategy is part of Japanese Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe¡¦s push to boost Japan¡¦s defense and its international role.
It reflects global power shifts, notably changes in the relative influence of
Japan¡¦s longtime protector, the US.
¡§As the security environment surrounding our country gets increasingly severe,
we have been working to rebuild our national security policy with a firm
commitment to defend the people¡¦s lives and possessions,¡¨ Abe said yesterday at
a meeting where a panel of experts and lawmakers discussed their draft.
The national security strategy is modeled in part on similar documents in the US
and elsewhere. The Cabinet is expected to approve the strategy next week, along
with a revision of Japan¡¦s long-term defense program guidelines.
Much of the strategy is contentious, as many Japanese remain wary of moves away
from the pacifist constitution adopted after World War II. One early sign of
opposition was a drop in Abe¡¦s popularity ratings last weekend after his
government forced through legislation to strengthen the protection of government
secrets.
South Korea is also uncomfortable with any Japanese military expansion because
it was colonized by Japan, and China is likely to protest.
¡§Japan¡¦s accusations and hyping of the China threat have an ulterior motive,¡¨
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hong Lei (¬x½U) said yesterday. ¡§We
urge Japan to follow the historical trend, walk on the path of peaceful
development and make due efforts to improve ties.¡¨
The draft security strategy says changes in the US¡¦ relative influence make it
necessary for Japan to expand its alliances with other countries. It raises
concern about China¡¦s rapid military expansion, as well as North Korea¡¦s nuclear
and missile capabilities.
It says Japan can contribute to peace and international stability by
strengthening its diplomatic and defense capabilities. It describes Japan¡¦s
alliance with the US as an ¡§indispensable¡¨ deterrent, but says it should be
supplemented by Tokyo¡¦s own efforts to step up missile defenses and other
capabilities.
To defend territorial claims in areas disputed with China, the government should
step up maritime defense, the report says, citing recent Chinese entries into
airspace and waters around contested islands in the East China Sea.
The report also says Japan should relax bans on arms exports.
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