Japan to scrap 1% GDP cap on defense spending: Minister Kishi

[Gary]

Japan to scrap 1% GDP cap on defense spending: Minister Kishi​

Chinese incursions in Senkakus require 'radically different' budget approach

Japan must increase defense capabilities at a radically different pace, says Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi. (Photo by Tetsuya Kitayama)

JUNNOSUKE KOBARA, Nikkei staff writerMay 20, 2021 02:00 JSTUpdated on May 20, 2021 08:25 JST

TOKYO -- Japan does not decide its defense budget worrying about its size relative to GDP, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told Nikkei in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.
“We must increase our defense capabilities at a radically different pace than in the past,” considering China’s increased capabilities, as well as new areas of warfare such as space, cyber and electromagnetics, Kishi said.
The statement signals that Japan is ready to do away with its long-standing 1% GDP ceiling for annual defense spending, and reflects the country’s intent to bolster its own national defense capabilities, as Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga promised U.S. President Joe Biden last month.

"The security environment surrounding Japan is changing rapidly with heightened uncertainty," Kishi said.
"We will properly allocate the funding we need to protect our nation" without considering outlays in relation to GDP, he said.
The decision comes a month after Japan pledged to "bolster its own national defense capabilities to further strengthen the alliance and regional security" in a joint statement released after the Biden-Suga summit at the White House.

It also comes amid repeated incursions by China's now quasi-military coast guard into the waters around the Japan-administered Senkaku Islands, which China claims and calls the Diaoyu.
The East China Sea islands sit just 170 km from Taiwan and could quickly be engulfed in a Taiwan Strait conflict.
On specific areas of bolstering Japan's national defense, Kishi mentioned strengthening capabilities on the Nansei Islands.

Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi speaks to reporters during a visit to Yonoguni Island, Japan's western-most island, in April. © Kyodo
The Nansei Island chain stretches from the southernmost tip of Kyushu to the north of Taiwan and consists of small islands such as Osumi, Tokara, Amami, Okinawa, Miyako and Yaeyama. Last month, the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and five escort vessels passed through the Miyako Strait, a 250 km-wide waterway between Okinawa and Miyako, before heading south to Taiwan.
The islands are seen as crucial in the defense of the Senkakus.

"There should not be any areas not covered by the Self-Defense Forces," Kishi said. "It is very important to deploy units to the island areas."

Kishi also expressed an intention to add a third unit to the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, based in Sasebo, Nagasaki.

"We will strengthen new areas such as space, cyber and electromagnetic warfare," Kishi said. "Technological innovation is advancing at a tremendous pace and the nature of fighting is changing."

On regional security cooperation via the Quad -- a loose alliance among the U.S., Japan, India and Australia -- Kishi said he is in favor of a "Quad defense ministers meeting."
Since the 1990s, the only year that Japan's defense spending exceeded 1% of GDP was fiscal 2010, when GDP plummeted after the global financial crisis. The country's defense budget has grown for nine straight years through fiscal 2021 but has remained below 1% of GDP.

That could change in fiscal 2021 if GDP drops again amid the coronavirus pandemic. Spending for fiscal 2020 came to 0.997% of fiscal 2020 GDP based on preliminary data announced Tuesday, and the budget for fiscal 2021 rose 0.5% to 5.34 trillion yen. Intentionally crossing the 1% line would mark a turning point for Japan's security policy, and is likely to draw pushback from China.

An assault amphibious vehicle of Japan's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade prepares to land during an exercise in August 2020. (Photo courtesy of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force)

As Beijing has grown more assertive, the U.S. has encouraged Japan to bolster not only the alliance's defense capabilities, but its own as well. The previous U.S. administration, under then-President Donald Trump, urged allies including Tokyo to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense.

The military balance between Japan and China has "leaned heavily toward China in recent years, and the gap has been growing by the year," Kishi said.
Inflation-adjusted global military expenditures rose 2.6% last year to a record $1.98 trillion, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The data shows a particular uptrend in Southeast Asia amid concern about China's maritime forays, with defense spending rising even amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Kishi said the government continues to discuss whether Japan should develop the capability to strike enemy bases in response to an imminent missile launch. "There's an awareness that just improving our interception capabilities may not really be enough to protect the public," he said.
He noted that focusing on interception will become more costly as missiles improve.
On the question of whether Japan and the U.S. intend to revise their defense guidelines with an eye toward a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait, Kishi said that while there are no plans to do so at this time, "we'll need to adjust to changes in the situation and make changes as needed."

Japan to scrap 1% GDP cap on defense spending: Minister Kishi

Chinese incursions in Senkakus require 'radically different' budget approach

asia.nikkei.com

 

[Gary]

Japan would consistently need to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense, they'll need those money to fund the many impending modernization this will include:

• 2 Next gen AEGIS destroyer (10.000+ tons)
• funding for the rest of the planned 22 Mogami class Frigate
• Osumi LST replacements
• 4 Taigei class Subs on top of the existing 3
• next batch of F-35s
• stockpiling on long range munitions and anti-ship missiles as well as long range missile interceptors.
• improved C4ISR capability

the list goes on and on.

 

[xizhimen]

Chinese incursions in Senkakus require 'radically different' budget approach​

Japan has territoirial disputes with every one around it, Norh Korea, South Korea, Russia, ROC( Taiwan), Russian bombers circulate Japan regularly , North Korea repeatedly threatens to wipe Japan off the face of the earth, south Korea has been nationwidely boycotting Japan for years, why this article only singled out China?

 

[Gary]

Japan has territoirial disputes with every one around it, Norh Korea, South Korea, Russia, ROC( Taiwan), Russian bombers circulate Japan regularly and North Korea repeatedly threatens to wipe Japan off the face of the earth, why this article only singled out China?

1. because unlike NK, China has an actual military that (if not mitigated) is poised to overwhelm Japan's military.
2. pretty much everybody around China is gearing up for war with China, in one way or another.

 

[xizhimen]

1. because unlike NK, China has an actual military that (if not mitigated) is poised to overwhelm Japan's military.
2. pretty much everybody around China is gearing up for war with China, in one way or another.

China has 14 land neigbors, （most in the world） which one is gearing up for war with China besides India?

China together with Russia has the largest number of land borders with neighboring countries (14). They are (running anti-clockwise from the East) : Korea (North), Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.

 

[xizhimen]

1. because unlike NK, China has an actual military that (if not mitigated) is poised to overwhelm Japan's military.

Russia doesn't have the military might to destroy Japan? the biggest territorial dispute in this region is between Russia and Japan. Japan has disputes with 3 nuclear countries, Russia, China and North Korea.

 

[Gary]

China has 14 land neigbors, which one is gearing up for war with China besides India?

ok, I should correct myself this time.

not all indeed, but major ones, important ones.
-Japan
-India
-Australia
-Taiwan

also most major ASEAN countries are rapidly building their military in anticipation of conflicts as well as an attempt to increase deterence, not all are going to voice it out loud but common sense is enough to tell that they're wary of China's expansionism, think countries like :

-Indonesia
-Malaysia
-Philippines
-Brunei
-Vietnam

I mean even faraway countries such as NZ, Canada and UK are noted to be increasingly aware of China's intention in the Pacific, here's one such encounter between Indonesian warship, China's CG and (surprisingly) NZ maritime patrol aircraft.

and oh I forgot to mention the US.

 

[Gary]

Russia doesn't have the military might to destroy Japan? the biggest territorial dispute in this region is between Russia and Japan.

The Kuril's are already in Russia's hands, this is not the case with the Senkaku's which China has presently no control at and trying actively to grab it from Japan's hand.

Militaries in general are geared towards the threat that is yet to come.

Russia is not that great of a threat, I'm sure the Japanese already acknowledge this and make it clear from their repeated statements on China's threat on Japan's national security. Russia is primarily oriented towards the security of it's European side, China on the other hand are increasingly at odds with Japan in the Asia Pacific.

 

[xizhimen]

ok, I should correct myself this time.

not all indeed, but major ones, important ones.
-Japan
-India
-Australia
-Taiwan

also most major ASEAN countries are rapidly building their military in anticipation of conflicts as well as an attempt to increase deterence, not all are going to voice it out loud but common sense is enough to tell that they're wary of China's expansionism, think countries like :

-Indonesia
-Malaysia
-Philippines
-Brunei
-Vietnam

I mean even faraway countries such as NZ, Canada and UK are noted to be increasingly aware of China's intention in the Pacific, here's one such encounter between Indonesian warship, China's CG and (surprisingly) NZ maritime patrol aircraft.

and oh I forgot to mention the US.

Since when Australia is becoming a China's neighbor? When China is winter Australia is summer, I suggest you study geography a little bit and when you drag in SCS disputes, it's many claimants against each other, China actually occupies the least number of islands in that region. SCS is a group disputes, not China's and it's not a very hot one on the brink of a coming war, China is ok with the fact of having the least islands there .


Spratly islands map showing occupied features marked with the flags of countries occupying them.
Philippines
Republic of China (Taiwan)
Vietnam
Malaysia
People's Republic of China

 

[xizhimen]

The Kuril's are already in Russia's hands, this is not the case with the Senkaku's which China has presently no control at and trying actively to grab it from Japan's hand.

Militaries in general are geared towards the threat that is yet to come.

Russia is not that great of a threat, I'm sure the Japanese already acknowledge this and make it clear from their repeated statements on China's threat on Japan's national security. Russia is primarily oriented towards the security of it's European side, China on the other hand are increasingly at odds with Japan in the Asia Pacific.

Really? China didn't regularly send nuclear capable strategic bombers to tour around the Japan .

 

[Gary]

Since when Australia is becoming a China's neighbor? when you drag in SCS disputes, it's many claimants against each other, China actually occupies the least number of islands in that region. SCS is a group disputes, not China's and it's not a very hot one on the brink of a coming war, China is ok with the fact of having the least islands there .

Not what I call your direct neighbors, but both f you are in the same region (Asia-Pacific) hence it's very normal for Australia to be involved in disputes in the region, especially if that region is very vital to the rule based order which greatly benefitted OZ, and many of the Asia Pacific countries as a whole, while it is right for you to mention that China isn't the only actor in the dispute, but it's an increasingly growing consensus among states that China on top of all claimants had the actual ability to control the waterways according to it's whims (by merit of military power), and if there's no counter balance to it, it will affect many Asia-Pacific countries, hence many major economies in the region is now ganging up on China and/or preparing ways to defeat China's attempt the have absolute control of those waters.

Really? China didn't regularly send nuclear capable strategic bombers to tour around the Japan .

yes, because for many decades China isn't as aggressive as the China we see today, Deng famous phrase of "Hide your capacities, bide your time" are followed and acted upon by many CCP leaders, until Mr.Xi came to power.
When Mr.Xi shows the world how China uses it's might to do daily airspace violation on Taiwan's airspace, crackdown of democracy in HK, it's increasing antagonistic diplomats, and above all China's public vow to take back control of Taiwan, it's no question that many regional powers such as Japan and Australia were suddenly wide awaken by what they're seeing.

hence now Japan is lifting restrictions on long range strike munitions (hypersonics, cruise missile), set aside it's self restricting military budget constraints. You could see Australia is following the same path.

all this will increase the calculation and headache for China if it decide to change the status quo.

 

[xizhimen]

Not what I call your direct neighbors, but both f you are in the same region (Asia-Pacific) hence it's very normal for Australia to be involved in disputes in the region,

If Austalia is China's neigbor then every country on this planet is China's neighbor, China and Australia are not even in the same hemisphere.

 

[xizhimen]

China on top of all claimants had the actual ability to control the waterways according to it's whims (by merit of military power),

US has the ability to control the waterways around the world, and they always throw their weight around on it's whim, which China doesn't.

 

[Gary]

If Austalia is China's neigbor then every country on this planet is China's neighbor, China and Australia are not even in the same hemisphere.

not directly, but still in the same region. Australia had many stake in an open Asia-Pacific.

Redirect Notice

 

[xizhimen]

many major economies in the region is now ganging up on China and/or preparing ways to defeat China's attempt the have absolute control of those waters.

Western power always gang up on China and Russia, we are so used to it, what else is new?

 

[xizhimen]

not directly, but still in the same region. Australia had many stake in an open Asia-Pacific.

Redirect Notice

Do you know how big Asia and Pacific is? You think all the countries in this region are China' s neighbors? that's pretty much two third of this world.

 

[xizhimen]

all this will increase the calculation and headache for China if it decide to change the status quo.

What status quo China changed? They are just squealing out of fear created by their own fantasy, we couldn't care less. or they just try to show their master, US, so loyalty and they actually don't really care much either.

 

[Gary]

US has the ability to control the waterways around the world, and they always throw their weight around on it's whim, which China doesn't.

yes, correct, in fact everybody will (if they had the power to do so), China is no different. Just because China hadn't attempt to invade as many nations as the US doesn't mean China won't, they just don't have the capacity to do so, not in the last 7 decades.

but we're speaking of geopolitical matters, many countries the US had thrown it's weight upon is not it's allies , rather it's countries like Cuba, Iraq, Granada, Panama, Afghanistan which is not that big player in the world stage. China is increasingly at odds with a major world economies which is also a US treaty allies (Japan and Australia).

hence Japan and OZ finally remilitarized, which and in hand with the US will attempt to block any China's attempt to change the status quo.

Western power always gang up on China and Russia, we are so used to it, what else is new?

nope, in fact their capital (and ideology) helps you transform from a backwater socialist state to a modern prosperous capitalist state, I can't see China becoming what it is now without US+Western hands involved.

What status quo China changed? They are just squealing out of fear created by their own fantasy, we couldn't care less. or they just try to show their master, US, so loyalty and they actually don't really care much either.

how about Taiwan??? can't you let them live in peace???

China taking Taiwan would be a disaster for Japan.

 

[xizhimen]

yes, correct, in fact everybody will (if they had the power to do so), China is no different. Just because China hadn't attempt to invade as many nations as the US doesn't mean China won't

This is a pathetic logic, you can't accuse a person of doing what you think they might do in the future and blame them for it, it's ridiculous.

 

[xizhimen]

how about Taiwan??? can't you let them live in peace???

China taking Taiwan would be a disaster for Japan.

Does your country recognise Taiwan an independent country? Does US recognise Taiwan an independent country?