"Defensive Posture" Fails at Multiple Levels, Public Expresses Widespread Concerns, Japanese Government Aims to Accelerate Military Expansion through "Sustained Combat Capability"

[Global Times Special Correspondent in Japan, Chu Xin; Global Times Reporters, Xing Xiaojing, Deng Xiaoci] Japan has once again shown dangerous trends that have raised high alert in the international community. On the 8th, Kyodo News disclosed that the Japanese government has begun to study the inclusion of strengthening "sustained combat capability" in the "National Defense Strategy," one of the "three security documents," which means enhancing the ability to respond to prolonged warfare. "Once a 'peaceful nation' acts according to a national defense strategy that prolongs war, there is a possibility of transforming into a 'war-allowing nation.'" Many voices of concern have emerged in Japanese public opinion. Military expert Song Zhongping, interviewed by the Global Times on the 9th, warned, "In the past, Japan emphasized 'defensive defense'; now it is developing an integrated combat capability that combines offense and defense." A series of military expansion moves in Tokyo have sparked widespread skepticism within Japan. At a recent anti-war rally, a Japanese citizen told a Global Times special correspondent, "Japan must never abandon the hard-won foundation of peace; otherwise, it will be difficult to stand in the international community in the future."

Considering responses to "at least 5 years" of warfare

Multiple sources disclosed to Kyodo News that the Japanese government plans to include the strengthening of "sustained combat capability" in the "National Defense Strategy." In light of the issues exposed by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has lasted over four years, Japan will promote ammunition and missile stockpiling during peacetime to ensure a production system that can ramp up in the event of an emergency.

According to reports, the "National Security Strategy," which is a higher-level document than the "National Defense Strategy," will not use the term "sustained combat capability," but may instead include "sustained response capability," which is expected to cover a broader scope, including strengthening energy and food supply chains, as well as enhancing infrastructure construction. Relevant officials from the Japanese government stated, "We will distinguish between the two expressions: one focuses on the military domain, 'sustained combat capability,' while the other looks at the entire national foundation, 'sustained response capability.'" Kyodo News reported that there are concerns within the Japanese government regarding the term "sustained combat capability," fearing it may lead to interpretations based on the premise of war.

Former Japanese House of Representatives member Akihiro Ushika wrote on social media that the actions of the Japanese government raise questions about "who exactly they intend to fight a long-term war against." He criticized that the Japanese government "has shown no reflection on its defeat." Shuichi Sato, who previously served in the Hiroshima Prefectural Government, emphasized that "sustained combat capability" does not genuinely address the real challenges facing the nation. The goal of national security should not be "to be a country that can fight to the end."

The Asahi Shimbun previously reported, citing sources, that the "sustained combat capability" being considered is aimed at responding to "at least 5 years" of warfare. This duration far exceeds external expectations. The report stated that if preparations for a prolonged war are to be made, the defense budget will inevitably continue to expand, further exacerbating the impact on people's lives. Some high-ranking figures in Japan's security sector have even claimed, "Even if the citizens are eating bread, defense spending should be increased."

The Asahi Shimbun stated that the military aspect of "sustained combat capability" and the social aspect of support capability are entirely different matters. If war becomes prolonged, the impact on the economy and livelihoods in the southwestern islands will be unavoidable. Once an attack continues, the consumption will not only be of ammunition and fuel; if ports, airports, power, and communication facilities are damaged, schools and hospitals will also be affected. The society that should be protected will suffer severe damage, ultimately touching upon the fundamental question of "what is sustained combat really meant to protect."

Gradually shifting towards reconstructing the entire defense system

Military expert Song Zhongping told the Global Times on the 9th that from the perspective of military construction, strengthening "sustained combat capability" is not limited to logistical support. "Japan is seeking to enhance its autonomous combat capability by promoting the coordination of manned and unmanned combat forces, strengthening military capability integration across multiple domains such as land, sea, air, space, electromagnetic, and cyber, to form a more complete integrated combat system."

In terms of accelerating "remilitarization," Japan has been taking frequent actions. According to reports from NHK, Japanese Defense Minister Kono Shinjiro stated on the 8th that in the context of Japan's declining population and the increasing difficulty of ensuring a sufficient number of Self-Defense Forces personnel, promoting true integration of the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces is one of the key points of this revision of the "three security documents."

Additionally, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun, the Japanese and U.S. governments have recently coordinated to hold talks between Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, planning to take advantage of the G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting in France on the 9th and 10th to conduct this discussion. Sources revealed that Motegi plans to explain the progress of the revision of the "three security documents" during the talks and seek understanding from the U.S. side.

Guan Zhaoyu, a special researcher at the International Youth Research Center of the China Youth Political Institute, told the Global Times on the 9th that a series of trends are sending relatively clear signals: Japan's acceleration of "remilitarization" is gradually shifting towards reconstructing the entire defense system. "In the past, we focused more on Japan increasing its defense budget, developing long-range missiles, and enhancing the equipment level of the Self-Defense Forces; now we need to pay further attention to the military organizational adjustments, military-industrial construction, and sustained combat capability behind it."

Advancing war in the name of "defense"

It is noteworthy that, according to a report by the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 9th, the Japanese government plans to continue to position China as the "greatest strategic challenge" in the "National Security Strategy," without using the term "threat." The report stated that this move aims to indicate that Japan will continue its deterrence against China while also promoting the restoration of diplomatic relations.

Lü Chao, an expert on Northeast Asian issues at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that Japan's so-called "deterrence and dialogue" approach towards China has obvious contradictions. True dialogue should be based on mutual respect and practical actions to improve relations, rather than claiming willingness to communicate while continuously creating opposition.

The Japanese government's ongoing expansion of military armaments has sparked widespread concern and opposition within Japan. Tohru Kawahara, who works at a publishing house, told a Global Times special correspondent that the military expansion measures planned by the Liberal Democratic Party are detached from reality, and Japan should prioritize diplomacy and commit to maintaining peace. However, the current authorities are pushing the country towards war under the guise of "defense," and "the so-called 'defense' is nothing but a lie."

According to Akira Kakiuchi, an honorary professor at Yamaguchi University, Japan is on a path of isolation. He told the Global Times that the current Japanese government seems to be able to avoid the reality of international isolation only by consolidating the shell and substance of "new militarism." Will it repeat the mistakes of history or hit the brakes on "remilitarization"? "I believe Japan is at a crossroads. Unfortunately, Sanae Takaichi still lacks this sense of crisis."