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On December 16, 2022, the Japanese government published a national security strategy that clarifies the purpose and means of future security guarantee policies and means in the future.This is the first significant amendment to be implemented since the announcement of the national security strategy in 2013.At the same time, the Japanese government has also published a national defense strategy as a pointer of future defense policy, as well as the defense planning plan for improving defense capabilities to achieve this goal.
The Japanese government formulates a new national security guarantee strategy, the biggest reason is that the security protection environment around Japan has deteriorated rapidly.China's combat effectiveness with the navy, the Air Force, and the Rocket Army has increased rapidly, and in recent years, it has also strengthened the movement of nuclear combat effectiveness.According to the growing military forces, China began to try to try to change the status quo through strength in the East China Sea, the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait and other places.North Korea is accelerating the development of nuclear weapons and missiles, repeatedly conducting nuclear tests and test firing of ballistic missiles.In February this year, Russia's invasion of Ukraine was trying to change the status quo through force.
The military trends of China, North Korea, and Russia in recent years have constituted a major challenge to the existing international order that supported the world and region in the past and based on universal values.For Japan, which is based on national interests to maintain and strengthen existing international rank, it is absolutely impossible to accept the attempts of these three countries to change the status quo through strength.China, North Korea, and Russia are increasing military pressure on Japan. While ensuring their own safety, in order to maintain existing international order, Japan also urgently needs to strengthen deterrence.
The new national security strategy clearly clarifies the policy of strengthening Japan's deterrence and "counterattack ability".While strengthening the capabilities of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, China, North Korea, and Russia promote the development of hypersonic speed flight and irregular flight missiles, and are rapidly strengthening the long -range precision guidance weapon that incorporates Japan into the range.So far, Japan has been able to respond to missile threats through improvement of missile defense capabilities.However, China, North Korea, and Russia enhanced missile combat effectiveness. Japan only through missile defense capabilities, and it is difficult to resist attacks.In this case, Japan strives to have effective "counterattack" in the opponent's field to curb the opponent's attempt to use Japan as the target of attack.
According to this policy, the Self -Defense Force decided to have the defense capabilities outside the defense zone that can attack from the enemy's threat circle.Development of sound -speed missiles, etc., Tomahawk cruise missiles, etc.In addition, with the goal around 2032, the defense capabilities outside the defense zone improve the counterattack ability.In addition to the defense of enemy missiles, the counterattack ability also suppresses the enemy's attack on Japan by increasing the cost of enemy attack.As a result, Japan will not attack the premissions.
The new national security strategy shows that in addition to its ability to counterattack, it will also strengthen defense capabilities in new areas such as the universe, network space, electromagnetic field, and cognitive fields to fundamentally strengthen Japan's defense capabilities.At the same time, it also emphasizes strengthening cooperation with the United States and cooperation with like -like countries to maintain and strengthen the necessity of universal value -based international order.In order to suppress the forces of changing the status quo in China, North Korea, Russia, and maintaining and strengthening the United States' commitment to India's Pacific region, Japan's new defense policy will give this great support for it.
On the other hand, the existing international order cannot be maintained by cooperation in Japan and the United States.Strengthening and opposing cooperation between comrades -based gay countries that change the status quo through strength and shared rules -based international order are also one of the pillars of Japan's security protection strategy.Southeast Asian countries are diverse in the political system and culture, but in the position that opposes the status quo through strength, there are many countries that can reach consistent opinions.Japan's new national security strategy calls for progress with Southeast Asian countries to make progress on the security protection agreement, implement joint military exercises, and promote the transfer of defense equipment.Deepen security cooperation with Southeast Asian countries is essential for the stability of the Indo -Pacific region.
The author is the Regional Research Department of Japan Institute of Defense
US European Russia Laboratory Director
