Japan Moves Towards Remilitarization Amidst Tensions in East Asia
Japan Moves Towards Remilitarization Amidst Tensions in East Asia
  • Reporter Won John
  • 승인 2023.01.07 00:03
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▲Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio / AP Photo
▲Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio / AP Photo

 On Dec. 16, the Japanese government declared revisions to three national security documents, the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy, and the Defense Buildup Program. They explained their rationale for the revisions citing China’s rise and conflict with Taiwan, alongside North Korea’s continued provocations through nuclear weapons and missiles.
 The new documents allow the Japanese to approve certain capabilities to counterattack enemy military infrastructure. This is seen as a major divergence from the pacifist route the Japanese had been seen to have taken since their defeat in the Second World War. Additionally, the Kishida administration announced that the military budget which had been capped at 1 percent of the national GDP would be steadily increased to 2 percent of their GDP over the following five years.
 Amidst these changes, the Republic of Korea is stuck in a rather hard spot. On one hand, the history of colonization by the Japanese Empire has instilled an almost instinctive reluctance of accepting Japanese remilitarization amongst the Korean populace. This is compounded by the fact that the revised documents contained parts maintaining that ‘Dokdo’ is de jure territory of the Japanese. The conflicts surrounding the Dokdo Islands are a sensitive topic for both nations, driving the two countries apart.
 On the other hand, the Japanese are also an invaluable partner to Korea’s biggest ally, the United States of America. After the revisions were announced, Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State for the U.S., released a press statement stating that “Japan’s new documents reshape the ability of our Alliance to promote peace and protect the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world. We applaud Japan’s commitment to modernize our Alliance.” While not directly allies, Korea and Japan have many common security interests, especially concerning the rise of China.
 Of course, the security interests of the two countries do not match up in all areas. The new revisions by Tokyo may allow Japanese intervention should a war occur on the Korean peninsula, something that Korean nationals would rather not happen.