The Red Dragon Versus Land of the Rising Sun

"Meanwhile, short-sighted economic policies -- are undermining the integrated world economy that underpins both American prosperity and global peace."

"[Japan is increasing its defence spending reacting to U.S. foreign policy established under G.W.Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden] -- two decades of passive incompetence [that failed to anticipate, counter or deter China's massive military buildup]."

"A perverse synthesis of Trumpian trade policy, half-baked green energy initiatives and knee-jerk, progressive regulatory overreach won't make the world a safer or better place."

Walter Russell Mead, Professor of Foreign Affairs and Humanities at Bard College ... Annandale-on-Hudson, New York

Japanese fighter aircraft at Chitose air base in Hokkaido prefecture. Photograph: Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images

Japan considers China's new aggressive policies a direct threat; its "biggest security challenge", leading the Japanese government to declare its intention to increase military spending to a dramatic extent; $51.4 billion for 2023 alone and over five years a total of $318 billion "to deal with the most severe and complex security environment since World War II". 

This commitment represents a total shift distancing the country from its post-World War II position when it pledged and wrote into law that its military serve solely in a defensive capacity. The Japanese military, in fact, has been in bad odour with the Japanese public. A public which viewed the military as a necessary evil to be tolerated and nothing more. For decades following the end of World War II, a member of the Japanese military appearing in public in military uniform risked being mobbed by angry citizens.

And so military personnel en route to military headquarters or other military sites would wear their civilian clothing, and then change into uniform once they reached their destination. Now, the nation has committed itself to spending roughly two percent of its GDP in a five-year period with the aim to purchase and develop missiles with an expanded range enabling Japan to hit targets as distant as China should it conclude an attack is imminent.

Japan is prepared to build its own long-range missiles and in the interim to procure 500 American-produced Tomahawks in the short term giving it counter-strike capabilities. This, despite an uneasy public opinion poll indicating that only 56 percent of its population indicated support for plans to enable their military to attack foreign bases.

Despite shifting public opinion there is still considerable opposition to increasing military spending in Japan  EPA

Japan's plans apart from 104-35A and 52 F-35B fighter jets from the U.S. they are to expend among other major purchases next generation fighter jets partnering with the U.K. and Italy and with the same partners, developing a new air-to-air missile. Ranked globally after the U.S., China, Russia and India, Japan is fifth in overall military power currently, but with its new defence budget hoisting it upward to third place. Its alliances with the West meant to help counter the growing influence and belligerence expressed by both China and North Korea.

The current quality of American leadership and commitment represents a thorn in conventional trust in the globe's sole global power's commitment level beyond its own security. Washington's traditional allies are experiencing diminished confidence in its leadership, stimulating Japan to expand its partnerships and joint military exercises to Australia, the U.K., France and others, along with ASEAN nations.

With China testing the waters as it were, by firing missiles approaching Japan's southern islands in a show of military force around Taiwan, the level of tension rose. North Korea further stoked tensions by firing a missile into Japan's 200-mile Exclusive Economic zone in Northwestern Japan in September. In reaction to Japan's announcement of increasing defence spending, North Korea fired two missiles in Japan's direction.

Japanese fighter planes scrambled over 200 times in 2020, two-0thirds of those events targeted Chinese war planes, the remainder in response to Russian provocation. Japan is forced to enhance its maritime security in response to China's rapid expansion of the size and capability of its naval force.  Defence of the southwestern Nansei Islands and the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East china Sea a mater of national security..

The Uzushio-class submarine of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) sails during the International Fleet Review to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of JMSDF, at Sagami Bay, off Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Japan November 6, 2022. REUTERS/Issei Kato/Pool/

China is less than favourably impressed by Japan's declaration of its new defence commitment. Beijing denounced the new strategy as "a dangerous step that would lead Asian nations to question Japan's commitment to peace"; beyond irony, given Beijing's lack of commitment to peace with its neighbours as evidenced by its constant claims and provocatively aggressive acts of 'ownership'. 

 

According to the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, Japan's decision would "provoke regional tension and confrontation".

North Korea had plenty to declare over Japan's plans, citing them as "a serious challenge to international peace and security"; Pyongyang would continue to ramp up missile and other weapons testing in its own defence, it declared. Beyond hilarious, if it weren't so serious..      

"Unfortunately in the vicinity of our country, there are countries carrying out activities such as enhancement of nuclear capability, a rapid military build-up and unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force."  

"These are also now becoming more outstanding. In the next five years, in order to fundamentally reinforce our defence capabilities we will implement a defence build-up program worth 43 trillion yen ($314bn; £257bn)."  

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida

Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) on parade, November 2021. EPA-EFE/Kiyoshi Ota/poo