JAPAN DOUBLES ITS DEFENCE BUDGET TO COPE WITH ENHANCED CHINA THREAT PERCEPTIONS & POST-UKRAINE LESSONS

Japanese PM Kishida rightly described December 16, 2022, as a "Turning Point" in Japan's national security and defence policies when he announced doubling of Japan's Defence Budget from decades-old limit of 1% of GDP to 2% of GDP in response to enhanced China Threat perceptions and military lessons post-Ukraine invasion by Russia.

Japanese PM Kishida unveiled a $ 320 Billion Five Year Plan which would make Japan the world's third largest military spender. 

Japanese Armed Forces were already a potent military force, but its radius of action was self-imposed to immediate defence of Japanese Islands.

Japan's new National Defense Strategy will impart Japanese Armed Forces with conventional 'Second Strike' Capabilities against China.

Japan's enhanced China Threat perceptions have arisen from China's military intimidation of Taiwan and open display of military might by intrusions in airspace and waters around Taiwan.

China has been indulging in submarines and Chinese Navy ships intrusions in Japanese waters. 

In Japanese Threat Perceptions, China's military occupation of Taiwan coupled with China's Full Spectrum Dominance of South China Sea would be strangling Japan's lifelines of energy supplies and trade.

Post-Ukraine invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Japan has drawn tow important military lessons (1) Russia has set a wrong precedent of unprovoked invasion of a smaller neighbor, and which precedent may encourage China not only for military occupation of Taiwan but also Chinese military occupation of disputed Japanese Senkaku Islands.

The second major lesson that Japan has drawn post-Ukraine is that Japan must now militarily be prepared for a prolonged conflict and have military infrastructure and logistics sustainability for prolonged warfare.

Japan's new major military spending doubled to unprecedented levels therefore caters for the twin challenges of (1) Enhanced offensive military capabilities and 'counter-strike' capabilities against its perceived enemies, and (2) Rapid buildup of military logistics infrastructure and WWR (War Wastage Reserves) of holdings of reserve stocks of weapons, military equipment and ammunition to fight and militarily sustain the Armed Forces in event of prolonged conflict.

Reflecting Japan's new resolve to meet enhanced new threats to Japanese security, Japan released three important Documents (1) National Security Strategy (2) National Defense Strategy, and (3) Defense Forces Development Plans.

Surprisingly, reports indicate that nearly 70% of Japanese public supports Japan raising its military preparedness. This is a marked departure from the past normally pacifist inclinations of Japanese public.

The only vociferous opposition to Japan's doubling of defence expenditure has emanated from China which has accused Japan of whipping up regional tensions as pretext to breakthroughs in defence spending. Surely, Japan's acquisition of 'Counter Strike ' capabilities would have a

rattled China.

Concluding, it needs emphasis that Japanese Defence Buildup to credible proportions against enlarging China Threat was overdue. China itself has to blame for pushing Japan in this direction.

In terms of overall Indo Pacific security, Japan's enhanced defence buildup and assertive security profile would impose a cautionary deterrent to China's unrestrained aggressiveness in the region.

'THE SAMURAI HAS ARISEN!!!