Japan plans to include railway construction in defense spending.
Reference News Network, October 14 According to Kyodo News on October 12, on the 11th, several relevant sources revealed that the Japanese government has begun to study including railways in the "public infrastructure construction" aimed at fundamentally strengthening defense capabilities and forming part of defense-related funding. The Ministry of Defense plans to specify the importance of railway construction in three security-related documents to be revised by the end of the year. This move aims to prepare for emergencies, ensure the supply of materials to the Self-Defense Forces, and secure transportation routes for defense equipment, thereby enhancing sustained combat capabilities.
The current three documents propose a target for defense spending and related expenses to reach 2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The United States has requested that allies increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, putting pressure on Japan.
Currently, the main focus of public infrastructure construction is on airports and ports, with ongoing projects to support the needs of the Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Coast Guard for aircraft and vessels. If railways are included, it is expected to involve maintaining lines with low civilian demand, double-tracking, widening tunnels for transporting large equipment, and constructing logistics hubs connected to railways.
The Ministry of Defense stated that during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, railways played an important role in material transportation. At a government expert meeting held in September to revise the three documents, materials submitted by the National Security Secretariat suggested that it is necessary to expand the scope of public infrastructure construction, particularly for "construction projects with low civilian demand but strong needs from the Ministry of Defense."
Japan is studying the inclusion of railway construction in its defense budget to enhance supply routes for the Self-Defense Forces. This initiative aims to strengthen defense capabilities in response to pressures from the U.S. for increased defense spending. The Ministry of Defense emphasizes the importance of railways for logistics, particularly in light of recent conflicts.
- Japan is considering including railway construction in its defense budget.
- The Ministry of Defense aims to enhance supply routes for the Self-Defense Forces.
- This initiative is in response to pressures from the U.S. to increase defense spending.
- Railways are seen as crucial for logistics in potential conflict scenarios, as highlighted by the Ukraine conflict.
- Current infrastructure focus includes airports and ports, with railways potentially added to support military logistics.