politics

Kishida calls for greater military capability, spending

57 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

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57 Comments
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You simply can't believe anything Kishida says. He has already contradicted almost everything he said during his leadership drive.

8 ( +17 / -9 )

More expenditure? Is it really necessary? Where Japan get all money needed for those?

9 ( +17 / -8 )

China and N. Korea recently tested new ballistic missiles and hypersonic missiles.

Chinese, Russian warships pass through Tsugaru Strait for 1st time ever.

Capabilities of Russia, N. Korea and China are getting better every year.

Russia is spending more then Japan. China is spending 5x more then Japan. N. Korea poor, but has the ability to devastate Japan's water or land with nuclear weapons.

Our neighbor South Korea is spending equal to Japan with half the GDP, half the population, 1/10 the land and water they need to defend compared to Japan.

-5 ( +13 / -18 )

@RWP

Precisely which items in your cherry picked list will change if Japan doubles its defense spending?

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Oh no Kishida-san, don't go down this road. We need more money for the kiddies.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

sakurasuki

More expenditure? Is it really necessary? Where Japan get all money needed for those?

Printing more money, of course. Japan, in deflation for many years, is one of few countries that can print more money without fear of hyper inflation.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

If you're going to compare spending and forces, let's not forget about the US in Japan and South Korea.

The US spends more than:

 China

 India

 United Kingdom

 Russia

 France

 Germany

 Japan

 Saudi Arabia

 South Korea

 Australia

 Italy

 Brazil

 Canada

 Israel

combined.

And has 75,000 troops in Japan and South Korea at almost 200 sites.

The US 7th Fleet has 60 ships, 12 submarines, 170 aircraft.

And that doesn't include the aircraft at Misawa, Yokota and Kadena, plus two air bases in Korea.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

So Japanese taxpayers now have to support the American military-industrial complex instead of the stagnating economy, crumbling infrastructure and dying provinces of their own country?

That would be a guaranteed vote loser anywhere other than a one-party state.

5 ( +15 / -10 )

Despite the catastrophe of WW2 brought about by Japanese militarism, the LDP pols are like reformed alcoholics sipping in secret from the same old dangerous brew put on the overloaded tab of their long-suffering, tax-paying subjects. It's time for a change, if we stop to think about it.

3 ( +13 / -10 )

Consequences of not taking your aggressive neighbors seriously are Life and Death.

Japan is behind when it comes to military capabilities.

You should go tell China and Russia about not spending any more on the military and focus on Social Programs. They don't seem to care or got that message.

-11 ( +5 / -16 )

We just do not have money. Do not increase national debts further.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Consequences of not taking your aggressive neighbors seriously are Life and Death.

And, in this case, if the declining U.S. were to precipitate a major war with China, for Japan it would be mostly Death...

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

In fact, Japan needs to stand up and say to the U.S. "NO!". You're messing with OUR world now, our safety, for NO benefit to us and only the threat of massive destruction and the deaths of our people regardless of how much useless armament you want to sell us. If you persist, we will ask you to leave and take our chances with our CLOSEST neighbor who may or may not have the regard for our best interests which you, U.S., manifestly have not. Back off... or not and just let future history explain to the survivors that there once was a vital country called Japan which allowed itself to be situated between two much larger, highly aggressive psychopaths...there simply is no good outcome for Japan at this time in a war between China and the U.S....and Russia waiting in the wings to pick up any pieces that might be left...

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

The same tired appeal to fear and nationalism. Abe used the same strategy to get elected. A complete ruse to cover up 30 years of LDP class warfare and mismanagement of Japan, that has seen a country with some of the top social indicators among OECD countries sink to one with some of the worst.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

I say let the US continue covering for part of Japan's defense while Japan deals with its financial problems before it decides to increase defense spending. Once it gets financially stable and has the money to spend on defense, they can ease out from under US protection (if that's even possible lol).

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Kishida's right, Japan needs to double defense spending to merely keep up with arms race between China and Korea, which Japan has fallen so far behind that it actually increases chances of war because China and Korea see war with Japan as a viable settlement solution and won't refuse it when the opportunity comes. Increased strength keeps regional peace. It's the power imbalance that triggers war.

The question is, can bankrupt Japan afford to double defense spending? Raising taxes won't do it, any additional money must come from a cut in welfare spending, a sacrifice that must be shared among Japan's population, especially the poor the most.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

Samit BasuToday  10:04 am JST

Raising taxes won't do it, any additional money must come from a cut in welfare spending, a sacrifice that must be shared among Japan's population, especially the poor the most.

Why should the burden mainly fall on those least capable of bearing it? Because rich people might leave Japan rather than pay more, or stop supporting the LDP?

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Kishida: “We have to prepare for realistic possibilities to protect our people and discuss a wide range of options,” he said.

Realistic possibilities. A meaningless trope. This from a man who is a political weathervane, with apparently naught for political philosophy

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Must be repeated and savored to be appreciated:

The question is, can bankrupt Japan afford to double defense spending? Raising taxes won't do it, any additional money must come from a cut in welfare spending, a sacrifice that must be shared among Japan's population, especially the poor the most.

The difficulty is trying to parse whether this is an actual assertion or a test in detecting absurd irony...I cannot tell, but from what came before it, I cannot even begin to imagine the 'reality' from which is was born...and, for that, I give Thanks...

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Kishida again playing to the fears and frailties of many of the Japanese public.

Pure Electioneering.

In the past few days with full media entourage he's done the "Fukushima Memorial - less we forget and we will rise up" photo-op followed by a similarly bright lights forum on "The most important issue(his words) in Japan now is the NK abduction issue". Sadly the cast of suffering relatives were trotted out again for the media and so Kishida could join in their suffering.

And now we must protect the citizens from the "new threat" of the bombs of angry communists. Only we - LDP - can save you.

The big question is, if the LDP believes in all sincerity these are paramount issues, why haven't they solved the problems over the years and years? They are the ones that have been in command.

Hopefully a greater slice of the public can ask this basic question of Kishida Inc before deciding on how to vote in a couple of weeks.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Japan should be put on a tight leash by the US lest Japan starts another war. History has shown Japan starting wars when they thought they had a strong military. Japan's warmonger politicians should never be trusted.

-13 ( +3 / -16 )

LDP pledges for "fiscal consolidation" go right out the window when it comes to funding the military and police.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Japan already pays the US over 200,000,000,000円 per year to be its bodyguard.

Japan doesn't need to spend any more money.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

gintonicToday  10:29 am JST

Japan is behind when it comes to military capabilities.

Japan will never be able to outspend and outdo China...nationalists here just dont wanna accept they are relegated to No.2 in Asia, bitter pill to swallow but Japan can,t afford an arms race. We need it spent on social services.

Ridiculous argument. Of course Japan can not outspend China. Japan has no desire to expand it's territiory, intimidate smaller nations, or challenge a major world military power. Japan simply needs sufficient defense capability to deter any attack. And to do that Article 9 needs to be amended, which is all that the nationlists are seeking.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

"a sacrifice that must be shared among Japan's population, especially the poor the most."

Oh yes, the poor; In which you are included!

Hence all the bawling. coming from you.

Japan WILL spend because they CAN.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Kishida calls for greater military capability, spending @japantoday:

Can anyone not see that just in several days, the new PM is already following the exact footsteps of his two immediate predecessors?

Don't hope for any more enlightened leader. Sadly, there are none..

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Kishida: “We have to prepare for realistic possibilities to protect our people and discuss a wide range of options,” he said.

Realistic possibilities. A meaningless trope. This from a man who is a political weathervane, with apparently naught for political philosophy, let alone ethics. A man practicing realpolitik, the acquisition, use and abuse of power, as if pragmatic - which is simply bending to the wants of the status quo and ruling class. He is not in office to serve the people, he is in office to serve his masters, the power elite, who emplaced him as PM.

As cited above in several posts, the USA spends almost 800 billion a year on the military, while exhibiting an incapacity for domestic and welfare spending - welfare as the health & well-being of its citizens. Not a good model for Japan, with its limited resources.

As an object lesson to all who imagine a big fat military is a viable means to offset the Chinese military machine: the USA, has twice been defeated by peasant armies. Vietnam which spends approximately 5 billion a year. And Afghanistan, which, until the arrival of the USA, didn't have a military budget nor a state sponsored army. Afghanistan, also defeated the mighty Russian military - one of the most brutal militaries on the planet.

The USA spent 300 million dollars a D A Y on the war in Afghanistan, all to no avail. Dudes riding donkeys and driving Toyota pick-up trucks defeated the supposed greatest military power to roam the earth.

Japan spends ten times the amount on the military, compared to Vietnam.

North Korea is a third world country with a ramshackle army, which has to allot fuel to power its military vehicles. Its mainstay of attack are aging artillery pieces, in protected caves. Its army would run out of food in any protracted conflict.

China for all its economic might - the primary use of the military is to keep the Chinese citizenry in line. It has one foreign base, in the Horn of Africa, 0.2 square miles with approximately 1,500 personnel. Oddly, Japanese 'frogmen' were detected approaching a Chinese warship docked at the base in Africa. A rather questionable activity and perhaps in violation of the constitution.

The modern Chinese military has neither successfully invaded or occupied another country, other than a nation run by medieval monks, lording over a feudal kingdom which resembled a totalitarian religious state. There is absolutely no plan to invade Japan, which would be a fruitless task and bring no benefit.

The greatest military threat to Japan, is the USA, not China or North Korea. An occupying army and navy is based on its shores and has reduced Japan to a client-state and influences, if not determines Japan's foreign policy towards China and N. Korea. The USA, in the past decades, has pushed to re-arm Japan.

Peaceful co-existence based on trade and manufacturing - similar to the USA relationship with Europe is a better stratagem, than a vain effort to outspend China and waste precious resources on ill-fated military ventures.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

No matter how much thought you put into a comment, don't forget that this a place where children will vote down a comment within milliseconds.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Defense spending.

Japan 1% GDP $49 billion.

UK 2.2% GDP $60 billion.

China 1.7% GDP $252 billion.

Russia 4.3% GDP $62 billion.

US 3.7% GDP $778 billion.

Raw defense spending figures indicate virtually nothing.

You need to consider the science and technological capabilities of those countries, the cost of skilled labor, exchange rates, conscription, how they actually spend that money (ie men or cutting edge gear) on and on and on.

Russia does a lot with its $62 billion because labor rates are significantly cheaper and they have a lot of engineering and science talent backup up by a pretty good education system.

The U.S gets a poor return on its spending because their labor rates are high, there science and engineering talent limited relative to populution and expensive and their education system is poor, until you get to university standard.

China gets a huge return on its spending and will continue too. India, likewise, could be in that position if they can raise their overall economic prosperity. For they too, like China, prize education and are significantly younger than of the countries mentioned on average.

Australia spends 2% on defense, roughly, and gets some high tech gear, but cant afford to maintain a decent sized army because pay rates are simply too high. If Australia wanted a military equivalent to Japan or South Korea, it would have to spend 5% on defense, at least.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Yeah so Japanese military can do another devious sneak attack in a passive agressive inferiority complex tantrum of military redundancy.

After 5000 years of being a country you would think Japan would be more competent and responsible.

I think many countries are a bit concerned about Japanese military behavior.

Lets hope Japanese military have learned from their mistakes.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Japanese people and residents are being taxed enough for keeping America around, no need to increase the military budget when you have America to rely on. Another great Reasons why this Dinosaur called 自民党Needs to be reformed or go extinct.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Isn't that the dude in the pink tie from the movie Battle Royale?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Japan's broadcasting stations who spent huge hours for ruling party LDP leader election last month, stopped critical politics coverage under the name of "neutrality" from today.

Japan' mainstream media are accomplices present situation of Japan where regime change is very difficult

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If Japan wants to continue to be an independent country, then it has to be prepared to defend itself.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

gintonicToday  12:41 pm JST

No need to double defence spending whilst Japan has a myriad of social issues that are getting worse year by year and are ignored by the LDP govt.

I think it's counter-productive really. After the way they carried on in WW2 and got Japan devastated and colonised, I think the best thing to have done would have been to keep a very low profile. Unfortunately the Americans let all the ex-wartime leaders get out to run the country and put out this idea that Japanese people had absolutely nothing to be ashamed of about the war, so their successors who have been indoctrinated with all this stuff maintain there's no reason really not to ramp up the defense spending. All they're doing is painting great big targets on their backs, but I don't believe for a moment they actually think the Chinese or Koreans are going to try anything as long as the US forces are there. I think it's all for propping up their right-wing nationalist support base and making themselves feel good about having a "proper" military.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Pointless waist of money unless making nukes like everyone else around us....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Yes, yes, yes get some nukes! But it will never happen, he is fool of hot air!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

There is actually really no need to get into the arms race fever currently going on in the world. As long you have a strong and self relient economy, you can withstand a lot. No need to go broke in military spending. Actually how about improving the jsdf living conditions first? The jsdf salary and benefits for serving the country is actually extremely pitiful to look at. Which is why most do not want to sign up.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Taking from the rich and putting it into military? That’s probably also not the new capitalism he spoke from a few days before, or is it just that? lol

1 ( +1 / -0 )

gintonicToday  12:41 pm JST

Ridiculous argument. Of course Japan can not outspend China. Japan has no desire to expand it's territiory, intimidate smaller nations, or challenge a major world military power. Japan simply needs sufficient defense capability to deter any attack. "

Hardly so...Japan already has the biggest deterrent of all for its defense....its called the US bases, that we pay handsomely for each year ( and likely to pay more soon ). In addition JSDF is quite well equipped already...combined these two factors are enough of a strategic deterrent. No need to double defence spending whilst Japan has a myriad of social issues that are getting worse year by year and are ignored by the LDP govt.

The US bases in Japan are not part of Japan's military. They are part of the U.S. military. And whatever weapons Japan has in it's JSDF is constrained by Article 9 in it's own constitution. Your response is even more ridiculous than the first post.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Alfie Noakes So Japanese taxpayers now have to support the American military-industrial complex instead of the stagnating economy, crumbling infrastructure and dying provinces of their own country? That would be a guaranteed vote loser anywhere other than a one-party state. Feast or Famine!! Take your choice, the US doesn't need Japans taxpayer money, but when NK starts lobbing bombs into Japan or China seeks revenge from years back you will expect Americans to defend and spill their blood on Japanese soil to protect "so call Japanese tax payers. Take your choice become a brides maide to China and NK or continue your so call taxpaying dollars to the american military complex.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@William Bjornson *In fact, Japan needs to stand up and say to the U.S. "NO!". You're messing with OUR world now, our safety, for NO benefit to us and only the threat of massive destruction and the deaths of our people regardless of how much useless armament you want to sell us. If you persist, we will ask you to leave and take our chances with our CLOSEST neighbor who may or may not have the regard for our best interests which you, U.S., manifestly have not. Back off... or not and just let future history explain to the survivors that there once was a vital country called Japan which allowed itself to be situated between two much larger, highly aggressive psychopaths...there simply is no good outcome for Japan at this time in a war between China and the U.S....and Russia waiting in the wings to pick up any pieces that might be left...*

The US is not telling Japan they have to buy US military weapons, the US is not forcing Japan to do such but Japan is well aware of what is going on around them with China, NK and Korea building their military. If Japan continue to sit back and watch they will be left out in the cold.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

There is no doubt when comparing neighbors military capabilities with Japan's, you find Japan lacks many capabilities of it's potential enemies. Increasing Japans abilities to fight with new additional weapons systems will help even the playing field and allow Japan a greater independence of action and increase deterrence against aggressors. To field these new abilities will cost additional money, necessitate new training and perhaps a slight increase in numbers for the military.

It would be much preferred that your neighbors do not continually increase their military strength and reign in their high levels of expenditure. But in the face of growing tensions in the region and countries that out gun Japan getting even stronger and more belligerent, the choice is made for you by their actions.

You can either develop new technology that nobody else has that will give you an edge or you simply increase spending on off the shelf technology from within your native defense industry or from the numerous allies who sell top shelf armaments either in Europe or America.

Japan could request to purchase Australian missile decoy systems for its navy ships as is in use by RAN, Canadian Navy and US ships called Nulka.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nulka

It is defensive in nature so would not anger others in the region and it increases surviveability of your naval assest's. You could deploy them on coast guard and even on maritime ships in time of hostilities.

It is not a waste of money to ensure the freedom of you people.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Very dangerous line of thoughts.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japanese people are smart but physically cannot war.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Ossan and Peter makes some strong arguments.

If you expect Japan to share the burden, help out in a moment of crisis, support and defend democracy in Asia including helping defend Taiwan..... Then Japan needs to make the changes now which is already late and very slow compared to our neighbors.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Peaceful co-existence based on trade and manufacturing - similar to the USA relationship with Europe is a better stratagem, than a vain effort to outspend China and waste precious resources on ill-fated military ventures.

Sigh. The US has a productive relationship with the countries of western Europe because they all share similar values and have elected representative governments, honor basic human rights, have a free press, religious freedom and similar economic systems. No one is exploiting the others and there are dispute resolution methods available to mediate trade disputes. The US and EU do not have any territorial disputes either. The west including Japan has none of these things working for them when dealing with China. China is an exploitive state that does not honor agreements and thinks nothing of stealing what it cannot develop through honest hard work. In addition China claims land that belongs to Japan making veiled threats to take this land by force while testing Japan's resolve to defend it. It is simply not possible for Japan or any other western nation but especially for Japan to have the kind of relationship with China that the US, Canada and Japan have with the EU.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Kushida CANNOT counter against a foe that has superior military capability which China has not.

Japan has no fear of being invaded though as a land army could be hampered for an extended amount of time-it is not worth invading Japan for it has little of value.

JT should be ashamed to publish such irrational political rhetoric spouting political inanities..,

0 ( +0 / -0 )

jlOct. 20  01:03 am JST

Japanese people are smart but physically cannot war.

Physical strength accounts for less than 10% of modern war at max unless you assume war is close naked combat.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Raise Japanese salary, invest in new industries and factories. Stop all immigration. Military hardware should be built domestically not bought from other countries.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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