Having opened the way for an advance attack and the introduction of weapons
South Korea “Japan, keep the spirit of the Peace Constitution”
US “Welcomes New Security Strategy” China “Exaggerates Threats”
On the 16th, the Japanese government cited the fact that the current defense system could not prevent attacks by hypersonic and irregular orbital missiles being developed by China and North Korea as one of the main reasons for stating ‘having the ability to attack enemy bases’ is a major security document. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a press conference that day, “To be honest, the capabilities of the current Self-Defense Forces are not enough to protect the country when a threat becomes a reality.”
Japan also changed what it had described as ‘the concern of the international community’ to China as ‘the greatest strategic challenge ever’. China’s ballistic missile launch into Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in August was described as a “threat to local residents.”
○ Japan, a de facto ‘preemptive strike’ becomes possible
zoom inJapan’s revision of the three major security documents this time changed the principle from ‘stay still until attacked’ to ‘if it is determined that it is sure to be attacked, it can attack first’. The Japanese argument is that the ability to attack enemy bases is indispensable as a deterrent that breaks the opponent’s will to attack. Japan has decided to secure 43 trillion yen (about 415 trillion won) for defense costs over the five years between 2023 and 2027.
Japan believes that an attack on an enemy base is possible in situations such as △ North Korea launching ballistic missiles at Japan △ “existential crisis” where the US military and others are under attack and pose a clear threat to Japan and △ the Taiwan Strait Threat intensifies. However, Japanese experts believe that it is unlikely that Japan will attack North Korean territory just because North Korea launches a missile in a short period of time.
Japan also introduces different offensive weapons. It will increase the range of the Type 12 surface-to-ship guided missile from 200 km to more than 1,000 km so that it can attack mainland China and North Korea. The US cruise missile ‘Tomahawk’ will be introduced and hypersonic missiles will be used.
In response, comes criticism that Japan is trying to transform into a ‘warable country’. In a recent editorial, the Asahi Shimbun said, “There is no guarantee that the ability to attack enemy bases will be a deterrent, and there is a risk that regional tension will increase.” ” he pointed out.
○ South Korea “We need approval in case of an attack by Japan or North Korea”
Regarding the review of Japan’s security documents on the same day, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “It is desirable that the review be done transparently in a way that contributes to peace and stability in the region while maintaining the spirit the Peace. Constitution.” I stand by what I said.” Prime Minister Kishida said on the same day that “exclusive defense is the basic guideline for Japan’s defense, and there will be no change in the future.”
The South Korean government’s position is that if Japan plans to attack North Korea in a crisis, it must get South Korea’s approval. A military official stressed, “Exercising the right to self-defense within Japanese territory and deploying the Self-Defense Forces to the Korean Peninsula are completely different dimensions, and they cannot be realized without prior consultation and permission from the Korean government.”
However, a Japanese government official said that day, “Exercising counterattack capabilities is exercising Japan’s right to self-defense, and there is no need to obtain permission from other countries. Japan will make its own judgment,” he said, indicating a difference in position. “If we decide to counterattack, we will be able to establish necessary contacts with the United States and South Korea in terms of intelligence gathering and analysis,” he said.
“Japan’s increased defense investment will strengthen and modernize the US-Japan alliance,” said White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Welcome,” he said. On the other hand, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin criticized, saying, “Attempts to exaggerate China’s threat and find an excuse for their own military expansion will not succeed.”
| protect protect |
| A passive defense concept in which the minimum of self-defense is exercised only when attacked by the opponent and possession of defense is limited to the minimum necessary for self-defense. After Japan lost World War II in 1945, the concept was established as a basic security principle. |
Tokyo = Reporter Lee Sang-hoon sanghun@donga.com
Yoon Sang-ho, military reporter ysh1005@donga.com
Correspondent Choi Ji-sun aurinco@donga.com
