Tokyo intends to purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States, build its own long-range cruise missiles, and strengthen cyber defences.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting changes in the security environment around Japan, the Japanese government aims to considerably increase the country’s military capabilities
As defence spending grows and the budget stays debt-dependent, the government’s balance sheet will deteriorate further. Tokyo intends to purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States, build its own long-range cruise missiles, and strengthen cyber defences.
On Friday, Japan’s cabinet authorised a dramatic revamp of its defence policy, including a huge increase in expenditure, as it warned China posed the “biggest strategic danger ever” to its security.
Japan’s famous Article 9 renounces war. However, it possesses a self-defence force second only to USA in terms of sophistication. Its defence expenditure is greater than those of all NATO members except the USA.
Polls show that the majority of the Japanese people supports the reform, but the revisions may still be problematic because Japan’s post-war constitution does not formally recognise the military and confines it to theoretically self-defensive powers. Three defence and security documents authorised by the cabinet on Friday describe the changes.
Spending 2% of GDP on defence to acquire new missiles
By – Veena
Bangalore Correspondent
WOM
