Patrick S.

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Japanese PM Warns of Potential Pre-Emptive Strikes Against Enemies

by

Patrick S. Baker

On 27 November 2021, Japanese Prime Minster (PM) Fumio Kishida at his first troop

review stated that: “reality is severer than ever”. Japan is facing North Korea’s ongoing testing of

ballistic missiles and the Peoples’ Republic of China beefing up its military and acting very

aggressive in the Indo-Pacific region. The PM went on to say: “We will study all options

necessary to bolster our defensive capabilities, including the ability to execute a preemptive

strike against enemy bases.” Kishida’s public statement regarding any kind of a preemptive

strike should be understood as a stern warning to any of Japan’s potential adversaries,

particularly China and North Korea.

This is another major departure from Japan’s previous defense posture of “passive

defense” which had been its policy since the end of World War II and the adoption of the 1947

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National Constitution of Japan with its distinctive feature of embracing pacifism. Article 9 of the

Constitution which renounces war is considered unique among national constitutions.

But in recent years with a bellicose North Korea and belligerent China nearby, Japan has

shifted its defense policy from pure self-defense to towards “active surveillance.” As tensions

rise in the East China Sea between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and mainland China, Japan

has made sincere efforts to express its disquiet with Beijing and also to prepare for acts of

hostility on the part of the Chinese. In early 2015, under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the

Japanese Parliament reinterpreted Article 9 and passed a set of military reform laws which

allowed the Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF) to defend allies during a conflict, provide material

aid to allies fighting in foreign wars and also have JSDF troops defend weapons platforms

belonging to Japan’s allies.

The close proximity of Taiwan to Japan essentially links the national security of the two

nations. Further, as the United States expands its engagement with Taiwan and its Democratic

Progressive Party government lead by President Tsai Ing-wen, Japan feels the need to also

further its diplomatic and defense engagements in the region and expand its defense

establishment.

To that end, the Kishida government’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 supplementary budget was

approved on 26 November 2021 and provided some 774 billion Japanese Yen (JPY) or 6.6

billion United States Dollars (USD) more for defense spending. This is the most defense

spending ever in a supplementary budget; an 80 percent increase from the previous high of

nearly 429 billion JPY or 3.7 billion USD from the FY 2019 budget supplement. Nobuo Kishi,

Japanese Defense Minister, plans on using this money to acquire new equipment, including P-1

patrol and C-2 transport plane, and also upgrading the Patriot air defense missiles, some three to
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six months earlier than previously planned. Further, some of the funds will be used to defray the

costs associated with the relocation of a US military base from Ginowan on Okinawa to near in

Nago.

Further, on 24 December 2021, the Japanese Cabinet approved a FY 2022 defense budget

of more than 5.4 trillion yen (46.6 billion USD). This budget includes moneys for the U.S. troops

based in the country and covering more of the cost of joint exercises. Also in the budget was

some 6 billion JPY (51 million USD) to continue modifying two Izumo-class helicopter carrier

with the capability to operate Lockheed Martin F-35B fighter aircraft. Also funds to acquire

eight more conventional take-off and landing F-35As and four more short take-off and vertical

landing F-35Bs. Japan is in the process of buying a total of 147 F-35 fighters from the United

States; 105 F-35As and 42 F-35Bs, this acquisition plan will make Japan the world’s second-

largest F-35 operator, after the United States.

Japan’s efforts to upgrade its military and expand its geopolitical influence appears to be

a concerted effort to help contain China. Further, the current Japanese government is dedicated to

using all means necessary to defend Japan’s territories, waters, and airspace, as well as the lives

of its citizens. PM Kishida added that: “This is the most essential responsibility that has been

assigned to us.”