China News Service, March 1 (Reporter Meng Xiangjun) On February 28, under the opposition of the opposition parties and the public, with the approval of the majority of the ruling party and others, Japan's 2023 annual budget, which has attracted much attention, was approved by the entire House of Representatives. Passed at the meeting.

　　In the budget, Japan's defense expenditure for the new year is about 6.8 trillion yen (about 344.5 billion yuan), a record high.

And just the day before, the Japanese government finalized that it would purchase 400 "Tomahawk" cruise missiles from the United States.

　　What kind of danger signals lurk behind this "big deal" between Japan and the United States?

Data map: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

　　A reporter from Chinanews.com invited Lu Yaodong, a researcher at the Institute of Japanese Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Chen Yang, a visiting researcher at the Center for Japanese Studies at Liaoning University, to conduct in-depth analysis.

Japan's "big determination" is not just "small moves"

　　First of all, what are the performance and power of the American missiles that Japan wants to buy?

Here are some facts:

　　The fifth batch of US-made "Tomahawk" cruise missiles

　　·Long-range, all-weather, short-wing

　　The range is extended to 2414 kilometers

　　·Fly at subsonic speed

　　Possess a certain stealth ability, it is difficult to detect by infrared and radar

　　Strong versatility, can be launched by various platforms, high hit rate

　　One of the most powerful "off-control zone launch" missiles in the US arsenal

　　Played key roles in the Gulf War in 1991 and the Iraq War in 2003

Data map: American "Tomahawk" cruise missile.

　　Japan has been secretive about the number of missiles it wants to buy before, but this time it finally revealed that it intends to purchase 211.3 billion yen (about 10.8 billion yuan) in a "one-off" purchase in the next fiscal year. 400 "Tomahawk" missiles have been imported, and it is planned to be installed in the Japanese Self-Defense Force in 2026.

　　It costs a lot of money and the time is very fast. Obviously, Japan has made a big decision this time, and this is not a "little trick" just for fun!

　　Lu Yaodong told reporters that Japan has a long development cycle for missiles and cannot produce missiles like the "Tomahawk" for the time being. Japan decided to purchase American missiles directly.

　　He further pointed out that the new "Three Security Documents" are Japan's national strategic plan, including the "National Security Strategy", "National Defense Strategy" and "Defense Force Preparedness Plan".

In 2023, the Japanese government needs the Diet to pass a new plan in order to purchase weapons and build "the ability to attack enemy bases."

From passive counterattack to preemptive strike

　　What happened to the "capability to attack enemy bases" emphasized by the Kishida government?

　　In this regard, Lu Yaodong pointed out that the "capability to attack enemy bases" is based on the right of collective self-defense proposed by former Japanese Prime Minister Abe in 2014. There are several possibilities for its explanation:

　　One is a situation of armed attack;

　　One is an existential crisis situation;

　　One is to seriously affect the situation.

　　Among them, the situation of armed attack means that when Japan is attacked by other countries, it must fight back.

In the final analysis, Japan only has the right of independent self-defense, "if the other party hits me, I will fight back."

　　This is set by the pacifist constitution issued by the United States after World War II for Japan as a defeated country.

Based on Article 9 of the Peace Constitution, Japan cannot possess offensive weapons, cannot have an army, and cannot resolve international disputes by force.

The pacifist constitution deprived Japan of the right to wage war abroad.

Data map: When the Japanese Self-Defense Force held a military exercise, members of the Self-Defense Force performed an airborne demonstration.

　　Lu Yaodong reminded, but now, the "counterattack capability" (that is, the "attack capability against enemy bases") referred to by Japan means that when it predicts that the enemy is likely to launch an attack, it must take a pre-emptive strike.

　　Chen Yang also told reporters that according to the Japanese government's vision, "counterattack capability" refers to strengthening its own defense capabilities to form a certain deterrent effect. fee etc.

　　Japan accelerated the construction of "attack capabilities against enemy bases", initially in response to North Korea launching missiles towards the Sea of ​​Japan and other situations.

　　However, in recent years, the Japanese government has gradually expanded its positioning of "counterattack capability" to deal with the so-called "China threat" and "Russia threat", that is, to counter China and Russia by strengthening defense and deterrence capabilities.

Strategic interests linked, Japan and the United States hit it off

　　Lu Yaodong analyzed that although Japan does not admit it, it has in fact abandoned the concept extended from the pacifist constitution-"exclusive defense".

　　In the past, all of Japan’s weapons and concepts based on the pacifist constitution and the principle of “exclusive defense” were defensive. At best, this country cooperated with or was protected by allies.

Moreover, in the previous alliance concept, the United States is the "spear" and Japan is the "shield".

　　But now, Japan wants to have the "capability to attack enemy bases" and purchases "Tomahawk" missiles, which have lethal offensive weapons, in an attempt to enhance deterrence. This means that Japan has changed from a post-war pacifist path to armed forces Turn yourself into a "spear" and unite with the United States to form an "integrated deterrence".

On January 31, 2023 local time, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg shook hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo.

　　Chen Yang analyzed that Japan's abandonment of "exclusive defense" and its crazy purchase of weapons, especially long-range missiles, meant that Japan's long-standing foreign and security policy after the war had undergone a huge change, as if the spirit of the pacifist constitution and related regulations had been "shattered". .

　　He further pointed out that Japan's doing so is driven by at least two reasons.

　　First, Japan believes that its own peripheral security is facing severe challenges;

　　Second, after giving up "exclusive defense", Japan has both the attributes of a "spear" and a "shield", and will be able to more closely cooperate with the strategic deployment of the United States.

　　Chen Yang pointed out that in the context of relative decline in overall strength, the United States hopes that Japan, its loyal ally in the Asia-Pacific region, will play an active role in containing China. It also hopes that Japan's military capabilities can be improved to share its own pressure.

Data map: The moment the US "Tomahawk" cruise missile was launched.

　　Selling weapons to Japan by the United States can not only make a fortune, but also promote the further development of the Japan-US alliance.

Japan's purchase of weapons not only shows its loyalty to the United States, but also brings the trust between the two sides closer.

　　In this regard, Lu Yaodong analyzed that after World War II, the United States formed its own vested interests in Asia, such as stationing troops in Japan and South Korea.

It has the need to safeguard its own vested interests.

Japan's appeal is to get rid of the restrictions of the peaceful constitution and become a so-called "normal country", a political and military power.

It also needs to have its own voice in the US "Indo-Pacific Strategy".

　　After trying to figure out the wishes of the United States, Japan took the initiative to issue an offensive new "Three Security Documents" in an attempt to arm itself.

Coupled with the consensus of the vested interests of the United States and Japan in East Asia, the two sides hit it off and formed a connection.

"The biggest variable in East Asian security" is an arms race coming?

　　What does it mean for a country that once waged a war of aggression to start rearming itself?

　　Kristanov, an expert on Japanese issues at the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Sputnik that the announcement of Japan's new "Three Security Documents" means that the country is on the road to accelerated militarization.

Japan's purchase of "Tomahawk" missiles will trigger a new arms race in the Asia-Pacific region.

　　In fact, in addition to buying missiles, Japan also plans to buy airborne early warning aircraft, new torpedoes, and improve long-range missile storage.

The Kishida cabinet also plans to double Japan's defense spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2027, the average for NATO countries.

Data map: Manila, Philippines, victims of World War II "comfort women" and the public protested, demanding an apology from the Japanese government and compensation.

　　Lu Yaodong pointed out that Japan's series of "seeking military" actions has made itself the biggest variable in the security environment in East Asia.

Many countries in Asia, such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Burma, were once invaded by Japan.

Based on historical memory, everyone knows how much Japan's rearmament has had on the security situation in East Asia.

　　Chen Yang also said that Japan's actions will undoubtedly intensify the concerns and doubts of neighboring countries including China and regional countries.

That is, is Japan developing its military power in such a way to "protect" its own security, or to stir up regional tensions?

(over)