"Deep Dive by Global Times: Frequent Military Actions by Japan in the Post-Conflict International Order"

[Global Times Comprehensive Report] Editor's Note: Japanese Defense Minister Kono Shin'ichirō held talks with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Marles in Canberra, Australia, on the 18th. The two sides reached an agreement on the Japan Self-Defense Forces conducting test launches of long-range missiles in Australia for the so-called "enhanced counterattack capability (capability to attack enemy bases)." They also agreed to further expand cooperation in the defense equipment sector, including promoting the introduction of Japan's upgraded "Mogami" class frigates by Australia. According to Japanese media reports on the 18th, the Japanese Ministry of Defense is discussing the addition of up to three new bureaus in the fiscal year 2027, citing the increasingly severe security environment and the continuous increase in related operations. This initiative is strongly promoted by Kono Shin'ichirō and is considered a "rare large-scale expansion plan." Lü Chao, director of the American and East Asian Research Institute at Liaoning University, stated in an interview with a Global Times reporter on the 18th that since the rise of Kishi Nobuo, Japan's series of military expansion actions have become more overt, not only continuously expanding in terms of military equipment but also comprehensively expanding its overall defense system and command functions. These actions not only completely violate Japan's "peace constitution" and the principle of "defense only" that it must adhere to after World War II but also pose a potential threat to regional and even global security patterns.

Japan is seeking export markets for its weaponry

According to Kyodo News, Japanese Defense Minister Kono Shin'ichirō and Australian Defense Minister Marles discussed a series of defense cooperation during their talks on the 18th. Australia will allow the Japan Self-Defense Forces to use test sites within Australia to conduct test launches of long-range missiles and other weapons for "enhanced counterattack capability." Australian media reported that this includes hypersonic missiles. Marles told reporters, "We have agreed to reach a better and more comprehensive agreement for a series of missile tests by Japan using our missile ranges over the next decade."

The two sides also revealed that the joint development of a high-energy laser by Japan and Australia has successfully completed testing, capable of detecting incoming missile and drone threats. According to the Japan Times, Marles stated that this laser technology can be used on land and maritime platforms and "utilizes laser optical detection to identify incoming threats, thereby providing stronger protection and situational awareness capabilities."

Kono claimed that Japan's use of Australia's test sites for hypersonic missiles and other long-range missile tests would be a "breakthrough development, second only to similar cooperation with the United States." The field testing of laser technology named after Australia's Southern Boobook also marks an important milestone in defense industrial cooperation between the two countries. "This project is not only the first core joint development project between Japan and Australia but also the first time Japan's defense industrial technology has attracted the attention of foreign governments, evolving into an international cooperation project in the defense field."

The Japan Times reported that the two also discussed expanding bilateral defense equipment cooperation. The Australian Navy plans to introduce 11 upgraded "Mogami" class frigates. Marles stated that the construction of the "Mogami" class frigates for Australia is progressing as planned, with the first ship expected to join the Royal Australian Navy by 2030. The Japan Times noted that this is Japan's largest defense export contract since World War II.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that there has been a foundation for military cooperation between the two countries, including Australia's purchase of a batch of Japan-designed "Mogami" class frigates, and starting in 2025, the Japan Self-Defense Forces will regularly deploy in northern Australia and conduct joint military exercises with the U.S. and Australian forces.

According to the Japan Times, Kono Shin'ichirō plans to visit a naval base in India in New Delhi on the 19th and then hold talks with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on the 20th. The discussions in New Delhi are expected to focus on the joint development of AI-equipped maritime security drones and arrangements for a "2+2" meeting of foreign and defense ministers from both countries by the end of the year. Japan plans to send Air Self-Defense Force F-2 fighter jets to India for joint military exercises for the first time, and this topic may also be mentioned.

Military expert Song Zhongping stated in an interview with a Global Times reporter on the 18th that conducting hypersonic missile tests in Australia is due to Japan's insufficient land area and concerns about testing in international waters. Japan's joint development of advanced laser technology with Australia also meets the latter's needs. However, whether it is hypersonic weapons or laser technology, Japan is seeking export markets for its weaponry. If Japan insists on becoming a major arms exporter through continuous "alliances," it will inevitably fuel its militaristic ambitions, posing a serious threat to other countries. "A country that was once keen on launching aggressive wars, if it becomes a military power again, the tragic history may repeat itself."

Lü Chao, director of the American and East Asian Research Institute at Liaoning University, told a Global Times reporter on the 18th that from a legal perspective, Japan has no qualification to engage in transnational defense cooperation. However, under the long-term support of the United States and the resurgence of militaristic sentiments within Japan, the Japanese side is continuously strengthening defense cooperation with external countries: on one hand, cooperating with the U.S. so-called "Indo-Pacific strategy," acting as a "pawn" for the U.S. in the Asia-Pacific region, expanding its own military presence; on the other hand, courting countries like Australia and the Philippines, designating China and Russia as "imaginary enemies" for targeted confrontation. Meanwhile, under the push of the Japanese cabinet, Japan's defense forces are also attempting to establish connections with NATO, becoming a springboard for NATO's extension into the Asia-Pacific.

Song Zhongping believes that countries like Australia were also victims of Japanese militarism during World War II. If relevant countries do not deeply recognize the historical dangers of Japanese militarism and instead provide convenience for its military expansion, it may ultimately backfire and endanger their own security interests.

"It is really hard to understand the addition of three bureaus at once"

In addition to foreign military cooperation, the Japanese Ministry of Defense is also busy domestically, discussing organizational restructuring. According to the Asahi Shimbun on the 18th, the Japanese Ministry of Defense plans to implement a large-scale expansion in 2027, establishing three new departments.

The proposed names for the three new bureaus are: the International Policy Bureau, responsible for defense cooperation and other international affairs with other countries; the Defense Foundation Bureau, which will coordinate the Japan Self-Defense Forces' transportation, supply, medical, and other rear support work to ensure sustained combat capability during wartime; and the Facilities Policy Bureau, responsible for the management and construction of Self-Defense Forces bases and U.S. military bases. In addition, the Ministry of Defense is also exploring the establishment of a support office for retired Self-Defense Forces personnel and their families (tentative name), aiming to further improve long-term support for retired Self-Defense Forces personnel and their families.

The Asahi Shimbun stated that this expansion plan is led by Defense Minister Kono Shin'ichirō, and such large-scale expansion of administrative agencies is very rare in Japan. Reports indicate that while reorganizations of government departments occur from time to time, the addition of new departments usually accompanies the abolition of an old department, thereby maintaining the same level of financial budget and management resources. This time, the establishment of three new departments in the Ministry of Defense is purely an expansion without the abolition of old departments.

Recently, Japanese media reported that regarding the Japanese government's budget preparation for the fiscal year 2027, the Ministry of Defense plans to apply to the Ministry of Finance for approximately 8.9 trillion yen (100 yen is approximately 4.2 RMB), a record high application amount. The final defense budget scale may reach 10 trillion yen. The Asahi Shimbun stated that the Ministry of Defense plans to include funding related to the expansion in the initial budget estimate for the fiscal year 2027, which will be submitted at the end of August.

The Yomiuri Shimbun claimed that the background for promoting the establishment of new institutions is that as the security environment changes, the volume of business continues to rise, but personnel allocation and organizational structure have not been adjusted accordingly. In the face of the so-called "military threats" posed by countries like China and Russia, maintaining Japan's "deterrent capability" and strengthening cooperation with Southeast Asian and European countries has become an urgent task.

Kyodo News reported that Japan is strengthening cooperation with like-minded countries in Europe and Southeast Asia. At the same time, it must also address issues such as "new combat modes" brought about by the application of drones and artificial intelligence (AI). The Ministry of Defense hopes to ensure that policies can be quickly formulated and implemented through the division of business.

The Asahi Shimbun stated that the outside world generally believes that the International Policy Bureau and the support office for retired Self-Defense Forces personnel and their families have a relatively high likelihood of being established; however, the feasibility of the remaining two new bureaus is questioned. In addition, the establishment of new bureaus also faces a talent gap issue. Proposed solutions discussed include expanding recruitment of new personnel, reallocating personnel from other ministries, and transferring Self-Defense Forces personnel to work in the Ministry of Defense's internal agencies. There are also many opposing and questioning voices regarding the establishment of new institutions: some within the Ministry of Defense have suggested that "too much energy should not be spent on building new institutions"; relevant personnel from the Ministry of Finance bluntly stated, "It is really hard to understand the addition of three bureaus at once; it is hard to believe that the plan has undergone thorough and prudent consideration."

"The recent large-scale expansion of the Japanese Ministry of Defense's institutions is by no means a simple structural optimization." Song Zhongping believes that the significant expansion of defense budgets and military equipment must correspond to the simultaneous expansion of personnel and institutions. This large-scale expansion of the Ministry of Defense is a supporting measure for its skyrocketing defense spending and military upgrades, confirming a fundamental shift in Japan's military development trajectory. This is also an important preparation for Japan's efforts to break through the "peace constitution" and accelerate military expansion and preparation for war.

Song Zhongping stated that for a long time, Japan has touted the concept of "defense only." However, with Japan's actions to lift the ban on collective self-defense, its military operational scenarios have expanded comprehensively, and the original institutional system can no longer adapt to new combat needs. The functions of the newly added three bureaus precisely correspond to Japan's military expansion demands, aiming to comprehensively strengthen Japan's sustained combat capabilities.

Japanese media: Japan should not focus on "defense expansion based on war"

The Kyoto News published an editorial on the 18th, criticizing Japan's new version of the "Defense White Paper" for linking the strengthening of the defense industry with economic growth. The editorial pointed out that relying on defense to "make money" contradicts Japan's reflection on the ultimate path to war destruction based on military production and the post-war path of pursuing pacifism as national policy. Regarding the Japanese government's complete lifting of the ban on the export of weapons with lethal capabilities in April this year, the media warned that weapons made in Japan could "take the lives of people in other countries and fuel conflicts." The editorial concluded by calling for Japan not to focus on "defense expansion based on war," but rather to adopt a security strategy that combines defense with diplomacy aimed at easing regional tensions.

Japanese academia is also concerned about Japan's breach of post-war military constraints. Professor Yamaguchi Jirō of Hosei University wrote in the Korean newspaper Hankyoreh in June that when considering its own security issues, Japan must face the realities of domestic society and historical lessons. Japan's dependence on imports for food and energy means that such a country cannot possibly sustain years of combat capability. If defense spending is significantly increased, it may jeopardize Japan's economy and the lives of its citizens. In addition, Japan's population is declining at an accelerating rate, further exacerbating the hollowing out of local communities. Professor Yamaguchi believes that security policies should be formulated in line with national strength and that the discussion rights should not be handed over to a few politicians who beautify the Self-Defense Forces.

Lü Chao stated that the expansion of military forces by the Kishi cabinet is consistent with its long-promoted goal of amending the "Three Principles of Defense Equipment Transfer" and ultimately revising the "Peace Constitution." From a legal perspective, international legal documents such as the "Japanese Surrender Document" and the "Potsdam Declaration," as well as Japan's domestic "Peace Constitution," impose clear restrictions on its military forces. The Japan Self-Defense Forces are still not considered a "regular army" in a legal sense, which is a fundamental obstacle to Japan becoming a so-called "normal country." The Kishi government is attempting to break through these restrictions from both international and domestic legal perspectives.

In Song Zhongping's view, Japan's disregard for regional security stability, continuous promotion of military deregulation and institutional expansion, combined with its poor historical attitude, has made neighboring countries highly vigilant. On August 15 of this year, Japanese politicians collectively visited the Yasukuni Shrine, fully exposing their political ambitions to deny the history of aggression and restore militarism.

"Japan, without reflecting on history and facing its responsibilities for aggression, continues to break military restrictions and expand its military capabilities, which is constantly challenging the post-war international order." Song Zhongping warned that the disruptive reform of Japan's defense system will directly lead to a continuous escalation of security tensions in Northeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, and the signs of its militaristic resurgence are worthy of high vigilance and continuous alertness from all neighboring countries and the international community.

[Global Times Special Correspondent in Japan Wang Jun, Global Times reporters Xing Xiaojing, Li Yu, Global Times Special Correspondent Wen Yuan]