China's military rise has reached Japanese shores. Japan has issued a white paper on the defense of Japan.
Japan is far less hesitant about asserting its right to defend itself as threats arise, citing Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a threat to global peace:
This defiance of international order is not just Europe’s problem. As strategic competition between nations becomes more apparent against the backdrop of changes to the global power balance, the existing order is being exposed to serious challenges, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, which is at the center of this competition.
In particular, China continues to unilaterally change or attempt to change the status quo by coercion in the East China Sea and South China Sea. The country’s ties with Russia, an aggressor nation, have deepened in recent years, with joint navigations and flights being conducted in the areas surrounding Japan by both Chinese and Russian vessels and aircraft. Furthermore, China has made clear that it would not hesitate to unify Taiwan by force, further increasing tensions in the region.
North Korea has repeatedly carried out ballistic missile launches well into 2022, thereby unilaterally escalating its provocations towards the international community. It has also defended Russia in respect of the latter’s aggression against Ukraine, asserting that the fault for this situation lies with the United States and other Western countries. On the Publication of Defense of Japan 2022 KISHI Nobuo Minister of Defense
And Japan highlights its close friendship and alliances with America, Australia, and India. And notes European interest in defending international waters under threat by Chinese claims. Which removes the stigma of unilateral defense measures by placing Japanese concerns along with these nations' concerns:
Standing firm in its policies as a peace-loving nation, Japan resolutely continues to oppose any parties who attempt to forcibly change the world order. Japan also intends to continue demonstrating the strength of freedom and democracy and the significance of human rights and laws to the world through its unwavering conviction and tireless efforts.After lengthy discussions placing Japanese defense concerns in wider contexts, Japan claims the right of self defense:
The independent state of a nation must be protected in order for it to determine its own direction in politics, economy, and society, as well as maintaining its culture, tradition, and sense of values. In addition, peace and security are essential for the people to live with a sense of safety and for Japan to continue to prosper. However, peace, safety, and independence cannot be secured by simply wishing for them. The essence of national security can be found in creating an international environment that is stable and predictable, while preventing the emergence of threats before they occur, through diplomacy.And proclaims that Japan's efforts protect regional security from threats, benefiting all under threats to the peace. A discussion of the peace constitution and the right to self defense follows, with the statement that Japanese defense efforts will be sufficient for defense and not enough to threaten others.
The paper then goes into organization and capabilities, including those of American forces based in Japanese territory. And highlights Japan's defense cooperation with numerous states and peacekeeping initiatives, highlighting the position within a broader alignment of countries defending what Japan seeks to defend.
The report looks at defense technology and the defense industrial base, along with softer topics (complete with pink borders, although I may read too much into what is an American view) that seem like they seek to take the hard edges off of what is a defense paper that at its core is about killing people and breaking things.
But the cost is not clear even if the direction is:
Japan’s Defense Ministry made a budget request for the coming year Wednesday without specifying the costs of missiles for preemptive strikes and dozens of other weapons as well as its development plans, as the government aims to drastically raise Japan’s military capability.
The ministry said it can disclose details only after the government in December adopts a new national security strategy and defense guidelines. They are being revised to fundamentally strengthen Japan’s military over the next five years. ...
Only a partial sum of 5.6 trillion yen ($40.4 billion) was disclosed for 2023, but the ministry’s budget plan could rise to around 6.5 trillion yen ($47 billion), up 20% from this year, Japanese media said.
Japan has cited the NATO 2% goal for the portion of GDP going to defense. Which will provide a lot of funding from what until recently had been an effective cap of 1%. Japan's economy is hefty, remember.
The Japanese rising sun is visible from China's shores.
NOTE: Winter War of 2022 updates continue here.
