Major policies of the Abe government on National Security Strategy include: intensification of deterrent and pragmatic cooperation with other nations on the basis of the Japan-US Alliance as well as Japan’s contribution to global security. An analysis is made in this column on the recently approved Defense Program Outlines and Mid-term Defense Program. The initiative is endorsed by military strength.


DANGEROUS AND FICTIOUS MILITARY BUILD-UP AGAINST CHINA


The document, National Defense Program Outlines, provides a general military plan to foresee approximately ten years ahead. The previous version was compiled in 2010 by the then-government of Democratic Party of Japan, which was promptly replaced, only after three years, with a new edition prepared by the Abe government. The current one is drafted in line with the National Security Strategy employed by the Abe government.


The older version stressed ‘basic defense capabilities’, while the current, ‘dynamic defense capabilities’. The Abe government hailed the recent anomalous revisions as they could hasten the latter concept to be attained dramatically.


The Mid-term Defense Program, which represents a 5-year plan for the Defense Program Outlines to be accomplished concretely, enumerates acquisition of weapons, construction of facilities, composition and arrangement of troops and training and distribution of personnel.


Mobil and Integrated Capabilities against China


Repeating the same notion on ‘security environment’ defined in the previous one, the Mid-term Program emphasizes military capabilities in the seas and territories and economic interests. It focuses on ensuring security in the outer space and cyberspace and developing technologies on precision guidance system, unmanned devices, and stealth and nanotech applications.


In the international context the guideline stipulates ‘strengthening the Japan-US security arrangements and establishing bilateral and multilateral security cooperation pacts with other countries’ based on the ‘proactive commitment in peace’.


‘Integrated dynamic defense capabilities’ is defined as a driving force to achieve the aforementioned goals.


In other words the initiative is explained as: ‘sufficient deterrent in quality and quantity of sea-and-air superiority supported by broader logistics and advanced technologies and capabilities of intelligence, command and control and communication and assisted by appropriate troop composition and mobile deployment.


It warns China’s behaviors and underlines the more intensified Japan-US alliance and trilateral arrangements among Japan-US-South Korea and Japan-US-Australia. It advises to extend such alliances to India and ASEAN nations. The initiative is designed to compete with China and encircle her.


Okinawa and Southwest Islands


The new guideline declares ‘military build-up in the southwest region’ in order to respond to China and urges to conduct regular surveillance activities in the more extensive areas and to deploy unmanned vehicles. It requests to enhance amphibious capabilities to regain islands (Japanese-version Marine Corps), deploy ground-to-ship guided missiles, maneuver combat vehicles, destroyers, F35 fighters, transport planes, including ospreys, and aerial tankers and submarines. It underlines special operations.


The document analyzes striking abilities against hostile targets. The government plans to organize new training units for air battles in summer.


Offensive preparations will be made in the main island of Okinawa and Sakishima Island. That means heavier burdens and sacrifices will be imposed on people in the region.


The government has deregulated weapons’ export. It protects and fosters domestic military industries. It will strengthen cooperation with multinational troops and sell armament to them. These policies strengthen ties of military with industries and keep more information secret.


The ‘proactive contribution to peace = national security strategy’ declared by Premier Abe ignores Article Nine of the constitution. It represents militarization of the country; to prepare wars against third countries. It hinders peace efforts in the East Asian Region.


The government will approve the right of collective defense and enact a bill on the Basic Law on National Security in the coming regular session of the Diet. We must be cautious.


January 21, 2014