TOKYO, December 16. /TASS/. Japan intends to increase defense spending to a level of 2% of GDP by 2027, thus following the example of the NATO countries, as follows from the newly adopted national security strategy.
"A sharp increase in defense capability cannot be achieved by means of a temporary increase in spending, but requires maintaining a certain level of appropriations. Japan will take the necessary measures so that in the fiscal year 2027 the budget level for both radical strengthening of defense capability and for additional measures will reach 2% of the current gross domestic product," the strategy says.
Tokyo is concerned about what it describes as the deteriorating security situation in connection with the DPRK's nuclear missile program, China's growing potential and the situation around Ukraine. In the current fiscal year (it began in April), Japan's defense spending grew by about 50 billion yens from the previous year to 5.37 trillion yens, which is a record high.
Japan will continue to pursue a policy of self-defense and does not intend to become a military power.
"As a peace-loving nation, we will dedicate ourselves exclusively to defense and will not become a military superpower that poses a threat to other countries. There is also no change in our desire to adhere to the three non-nuclear principles," the strategy says.
At the same time, Japan believes that the current security situation in the world is most serious since World War II, which encourages it to strengthen its defenses.
The strategy spells out Japan’s right to launch counterattacks on targets in the territory of a potential enemy.
"If attacked by an adversary, Japan must have a counterstrike capability, i.e., the ability to launch an effective counterstrike in order to prevent the enemy's further armed attacks," the strategy reads.
The conditions for launching a counterattack are an attack on Japan, a threat to its existence due to an attack on a friendly country, as well as the lack of suitable means to repel an attack.
In addition to the national security strategy, Japan has approved two more fundamental documents: a national defense strategy and a plan for the development of defense capabilities.
With the aim to developing its own counterattack potential Japan will purchase US Tomahawk cruise missiles, according to the updated plan for the development of the country's defense potential, which the government adopted on Friday. Particular attention will also be paid to strengthening the country's defense potential in cyberspace: in the next five years, the number of military personnel specializing in this area is planned to be increased to 20,000.
Russia-Japan peace treaty issue
The Japanese government’s policy in favor of concluding a peace treaty with Russia remains unchanged, the national security strategy says.
"As for the problem of the northern territories, which is the biggest unresolved issue in relations with Russia, the basic course of resolving the territorial issue and concluding a peace treaty remains unchanged," the strategy says. "Regarding relations with Russia, we will act in such a way that, given the serious security situation in the Indo-Pacific region, we will protect the national interests of our country."
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said earlier that the current Japanese leadership’s policy left no chance for resuming peace treaty talks. He stressed that the Japanese government "actually agreed with the US policy of isolating Russia."
Moscow and Tokyo have been in talks over a peace agreement on the basis of the results of World War II since the middle of last century. The disagreement regarding the sovereignty over the southern part of the Kuril Islands remains the stumbling block. After the end of World War II, the entire archipelago was included in the Soviet Union, but Japan disputes control of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and a group of small uninhabited islands. The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly emphasized that Moscow's sovereignty over these territories, which has the appropriate international legal framework, is beyond doubt.
In March, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow was terminating negotiations with Tokyo on a peace treaty due to Japan’s introduction of unilateral restrictions on Russia in connection with the situation in Ukraine.
North Korean track
North Korea is rapidly developing its nuclear missile program and poses an even greater threat to Tokyo than before, Japan’s national security strategy says.
"North Korea is committed to strengthening its nuclear forces both qualitatively and quantitatively at the highest possible speed. If one bears in mind the rapid development of related missile technologies, North Korea’s military policies may become an even more serious threat," the strategy reads.
This year, the DPRK has carried out a record number of missile launches. In particular, in November, the DPRK tested the Hwaseong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile, which, according to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, is capable of flying more than 15,000 kilometers along a normal trajectory and reach the US mainland.
China
Japan considers China's actions to be "the biggest strategic challenge" in terms of regional and global security.
Tokyo expects that China will be building constructive relations with the world community through dialogue at all levels, including the highest ones. At the same time, Tokyo believes that at present, "China's foreign activities and military actions are of deep concern to Japan and the international community."
Concerns are also expressed about Beijing's actions regarding Taiwan. While the strategy notes China's "commitment to peaceful unification," it also emphasizes that China does not rule out the possibility of military action.
Russia, Ukraine and China
Japan is "seriously concerned" about Russia's actions in connection with the situation in Ukraine, as well as Moscow's activities in the Asia-Pacific Region, including "strategic cooperation" with China. In the previous version of the strategy Russia was described as partner.