Golez: Looks like Japan will continue its recalibration of its defense posture started two years ago with the revision of their defense laws. This, to me, augurs well for the preservation of the balance of power in the Asia Pacific region:
"Whether Japan should acquire the capability to conduct pre-emptive strikes on enemy bases is becoming a hot topic in the government and ruling Liberal Democratic Party following U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
"Concerned that Trump may reduce the U.S. military’s involvement in the defense of Japan, some officials and politicians propose enhancing this country’s capabilities by introducing new weapons systems that could be used to strike North Korean missile bases, according to informed sources.
"To acquire this capability, however, the government would have to resolve a host of problems, including the huge expenses involved and remaining consistent with Japan’s long-held principle of exclusively maintaining a defensive posture.
“We need to consider how we should protect the lives and property of the Japanese people and what kind of deterrents can be possible under the exclusively defensive policy,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told a Lower House committee meeting Thursday. He sounded positive about discussions on whether Japan should possess the capability to attack enemy bases.
"Under the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution and the Japan-U.S. security treaty, the Self-Defense Forces are responsible for defense and the U.S. military for offense.
"The government’s interpretation of the Constitution, as explained in a 1956 statement by then-Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama, justifies acquiring the capability to attack enemy bases provided there is no other way to protect Japan."
"Whether Japan should acquire the capability to conduct pre-emptive strikes on enemy bases is becoming a hot topic in the government and ruling Liberal Democratic Party following U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
"Concerned that Trump may reduce the U.S. military’s involvement in the defense of Japan, some officials and politicians propose enhancing this country’s capabilities by introducing new weapons systems that could be used to strike North Korean missile bases, according to informed sources.
"To acquire this capability, however, the government would have to resolve a host of problems, including the huge expenses involved and remaining consistent with Japan’s long-held principle of exclusively maintaining a defensive posture.
“We need to consider how we should protect the lives and property of the Japanese people and what kind of deterrents can be possible under the exclusively defensive policy,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told a Lower House committee meeting Thursday. He sounded positive about discussions on whether Japan should possess the capability to attack enemy bases.
"Under the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution and the Japan-U.S. security treaty, the Self-Defense Forces are responsible for defense and the U.S. military for offense.
"The government’s interpretation of the Constitution, as explained in a 1956 statement by then-Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama, justifies acquiring the capability to attack enemy bases provided there is no other way to protect Japan."
Attack capabilities a hot topic for Japan following Trump inauguration
Japan Times
JIJI
Whether Japan should acquire the capability to conduct pre-emptive strikes on enemy bases is becoming a hot topic in the government and ruling Liberal Democratic Party following U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Concerned that Trump may reduce the U.S. military’s involvement in the defense of Japan, some officials and politicians propose enhancing this country’s capabilities by introducing new weapons systems that could be used to strike North Korean missile bases, according to informed sources.
To acquire this capability, however, the government would have to resolve a host of problems, including the huge expenses involved and remaining consistent with Japan’s long-held principle of exclusively maintaining a defensive posture.
“We need to consider how we should protect the lives and property of the Japanese people and what kind of deterrents can be possible under the exclusively defensive policy,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told a Lower House committee meeting Thursday. He sounded positive about discussions on whether Japan should possess the capability to attack enemy bases.
Under the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution and the Japan-U.S. security treaty, the Self-Defense Forces are responsible for defense and the U.S. military for offense.
The government’s interpretation of the Constitution, as explained in a 1956 statement by then-Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama, justifies acquiring the capability to attack enemy bases provided there is no other way to protect Japan.
Despite this interpretation, Japan has never chosen to introduce weapons that would allow the country to attack enemy bases.
The issue came into the limelight when Trump was installed as president Jan. 20.
In a telephone conversation with Abe on Saturday, Trump noted the U.S. commitment under the security pact with Japan. But before that, he repeatedly complained of the heavy burdens borne by the U.S. military, causing deep concerns for longtime allies, including Japan.
At the same Lower House committee meeting, former Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera of the LDP called for strengthening Japan’s independent defense capabilities, saying the country cannot afford to let its security be swayed each time the United States goes through a leadership change.
In February, the LDP will set up a joint study team of the Research Commission on Security and the Policy Research Council’s National Defense Division to discuss defense capability issues, including the ability to attack enemy bases.
According to Defense Ministry officials, equipment needed for such attacks would include ballistic and cruise missiles, and fighter jets mounted with precision-guided bombs, none of which are currently held by Japan.
If such weapons systems are introduced, Japan’s defense costs would shoot up from the current level of ¥5 trillion per year. Such moves could also start an arms race with China.
Komeito, the LDP’s ally in the ruling camp, is cautious about Japan acquiring offensive capabilities. Even some LDP members are calling for a careful approach to the matter.
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