Caution! Japanese Media: Japan's Liberal Democratic Party Demands Establishment of Defense Spending Increase Target

[Global Times Comprehensive Report] Japan's Kyodo News reported on the 20th that several relevant individuals revealed that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan has begun discussions regarding the amendment of the "Three Security Documents" and has proposed to the government the necessity of setting new defense spending increase targets.

The report states that the LDP has referenced the defense spending targets of South Korea, which is 3.5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), NATO member countries, and Australia, which is 3%, and has proposed to ensure the budget required for Japan's defense sector, "striving to complete the transformation of defense capabilities within five years." The newly exposed draft proposal does not specify the exact amount of Japan's defense spending but claims to continuously accumulate "funds that are indispensable for defending independence and peace."

The draft proposal also suggests the need to secure funding sources for defense spending but does not specify the exact means of raising these funds. It also states that detailed explanations should be provided to the Japanese public to gain national understanding. In addition, the draft mentions that the budget scope for "defense-related expenses" outside the Ministry of Defense, such as infrastructure, can be expanded to promote the strengthening of a comprehensive defense system. According to reports, the LDP aims to finalize this proposal by early June.

The Japanese government officially passed the new "Three Security Documents" in 2022 and plans to achieve a defense spending target of 2% of GDP by the fiscal year 2027. The U.S. government has previously requested allied countries, including Japan, to significantly increase defense spending.      

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated earlier this year that the goal is to revise the "Three Security Documents" within the year. In response, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated at a regular press conference that this reflects Japan's dangerous trend of accelerating "remilitarization," which is bound to harm regional peace, and the international community must remain highly vigilant. (Ren Yiran)