Japan Holds First Expert Meeting to Revise the "Three Security Documents"

Xinhua News Agency, Tokyo, April 27 (Reporters Chen Ze'an and Li Ziyue) - According to a report by Kyodo News, the Japanese government held its first expert meeting on the revision of the "Three Security Documents" at the Prime Minister's official residence on the 27th. The expert meeting will compile relevant suggestions before the end of this autumn, providing reference for the Japanese government to complete the revision of the "Three Security Documents" within the year.

According to reports, increasing defense spending is one of the topics of the meeting. The Japanese government officially approved the new "Three Security Documents" at the end of 2022. The documents state that Japan's total defense spending will be increased to approximately 43 trillion yen (about 159 yen to 1 US dollar) during the fiscal years 2023 to 2027. Since the fiscal year 2023, Japan's defense budget has consecutively exceeded 6 trillion yen, 7 trillion yen, 8 trillion yen, and 9 trillion yen.

Reports indicate that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that it is essential to fundamentally strengthen defense capabilities autonomously, ensuring the ability to sustain combat operations in response to long-term warfare, and to promote relevant measures in areas such as maritime security, cybersecurity, and economic security.

According to previous disclosures by Japanese media, Takaichi intends to modify the principle of not introducing nuclear weapons in the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" during the revision of the "Three Security Documents." The related trends and the continuous increase in defense spending have raised concerns and dissatisfaction across various sectors in Japan.