Japan is ready to step on the rake of the United States again

Embarked on the path of militarization and the promotion of the interests of great powers, Tokyo decided to abolish the "pacifist" clause of the constitution

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (left) and Vice Admiral Carl Thomas, commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, center, aboard the USS Ronald Reagan.

It is known that the man at the helm of the United States apparently suffers from dementia, which destroys memory. However, this political ill is also increasingly spreading to other countries in the Western world. In Japan, for example, a new wave of militarization is on the rise.

Historic dementia

In Tokyo, apparently, forget that in 1945 the militarization of the country ended in complete failure, followed by American colonization. Moreover, it is enough for Japan to try to go down the same path again. One of them is the attitude of the Japanese. And them, whoever is in power, and they, who, who have entered the age of wisdom, k atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Or rather, for the United States, this is a barbaric crime.

On August 6, 2023, speaking at a traditional ceremony, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida did not say a word to commemorate the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. "Nuclear threat," he said. from Russia". The young Japanese beauty was shown on a television screen, saying: "The United States chose the fastest way to end the war. And, in fact, they smiled and thanked the Americans. Burned their ancestors in atomic flames.

This Japanese perception of this tragedy is vivid and representative, but it is not the only example. Today, Japan is not only rewriting history, but also blatantly distorting the facts. In particular, the books of the younger generation say that Japan, which fought against European colonialists to bring civilization to the peoples of the region, failed because of "lack of strength", or that "the rulings of military tribunals in the Far East were based on the prejudices of the occupying powers."

As history rewritten, revenge was instilled in Japan. Their expression is the great power claim claimed by certain Japanese circles. During World War II, Japan's popular slogan was "Bring all eight corners of the world under one roof." Tokyo has an expansion policy. In particular, the Japanese political elite at that time wanted to occupy large swathes of Russian territory. China, Southeast Asian countries, Australia.

They were not only caught, but also caught. The Korean occupation, for example, began in 1910 and lasted 35 years. During this period, the Japanese inflicted brutal physical and psychological violence on the local population. The most terrible performance, the whole world knows. A brothel was a brothel for Japanese soldiers. There is deception there, sometimes forced on Korean women and young girls. Inhumane living conditions and bullying have killed less than a hundred girls, and the surviving women remain wounds in Korean society as a whole.

Territorial claims

Of course, Japan does not like this today. While Tokyo has avoided publicly promoting the slogan of a great power at the official level, practical actions, including for individual countries, say they are following the right path.

In any case, for more than a decade, Japan has been talking about its claim to four Russian islands in the south of the Great Kuril Islands, which Japan previously called "northern territories" and are now considered "occupied territories". In addition, Tokyo expects to acquire a portion of the water fishing space in the Sea of Okhotsk. The Japanese are also interested in southern Sakhalin and its coastline, especially Aniva Bay. However, it is possible that they aspire to seize the entire island with their natural wealth, gas, oil and other minerals.

Japan also has territorial claims to other countries. However, since it has not yet satisfied them, it declares that these and other countries pose an external threat to its security and uses that as a pretext to promote new militarization.

In mid-December 2022, the Japanese government adopted an updated national security strategy. Among them, he stressed, he said, Japan is facing "the most serious and complex security situation since the end of World War II." As a result, we have had to carry out unprecedented military expansion. Therefore, he claims, the greatest threat to Japan is three countries - Russia. China and North Korea.

The Japanese government's new "Defense White Paper," released in July, describes how this strategy will be implemented. Regarding the arguments of the country's military policy, the document borrows the main language of the national security strategy. For example, according to the white paper, the continent poses the "most serious and immediate threat" to Europe, which could turn to Asia at any time. According to the author of the book, this is reflected in the deployment of new Russian weapons in the Kuril Islands, including in the "occupied territories", that is, our South Kuriles.

The book also mentions a "greater threat" - a Russian special operation in Ukraine. That could allegedly inspire Beijing to take similar action against Taiwan. Overall, China's foreign policy stance and military activities have been described as "unprecedented and greatest strategic challenges." North Korea, in turn, with its missile tests "is a threat more serious than ever," he said.

Japan has always considered the South Kuril Islands its territory.

Therefore, Japan, the document concludes, it must "strengthen its military arsenal." To ensure a faster response to any attack, including "if its partners are involved in conflicts elsewhere."

The revival of militarism

To this end, it is necessary, as emphasized, to maximize the effectiveness of existing weapons; deepens the depth of loss; strengthening and diversifying military infrastructure; And most importantly, invest in new high-precision long-range weapons. This will strengthen the capabilities of the Self-Defense Forces in long-range strikes. and strengthening troop mobility and mobility capabilities.

Brief description

Today, Japan's Self-Defense Forces are one of the most powerful militaries in the world. Its strength is about 227,000 men (plus 102,000 reservists). The Self-Defense Forces have large ground forces. Air Force and Navy, not only for the protection of the national territory, but also for offensive operations in the region. In addition, Japan is establishing a Space Force and cyber operations units.

Moreover, in all cases, the national constitution, often referred to as "peaceful" prohibits the armed forces of the country according to the Basic Law, Japan also rejects war as a means of resolving international conflicts.

Still, these restrictions did not prevent Japan from improving its military capabilities. On the one hand, because the political elite succeeds in persuading the population to take such actions, and on the other hand, it pleases the American guardians. Even encouraged by them.

After embarking on the path of a new militarization of the country and promoting the interests of great powers, Tokyo decided to completely abandon the pacifist clause in the constitution. First, this is reflected in the adoption of separate laws and decisions aimed at diluting the "peace" provisions of the Basic Law, such as the parliament's approval in 2015 for the use of the Self-Defense Forces in military conflicts abroad. Although it was developed in the 60s of the 20th century. Contrary to constitutional prohibitions, covert operations and strategic plans ("Flying Dragon", "Three Arrows", "Begging Buffalo") already provide for the use of the Japanese armed forces outside the national territory. Today, however, the process of organizing a referendum to review the constitution is underway, which will finally pave the way for the massive militarization of Japan.

In fact, she has already embarked on this path. The new white paper is a further proof of this.

By the way

Over the next five years, 43.5 trillion yen ($32.2 billion) will be allocated for military purposes, she said. This is 17.2 trillion yen more than spending between 2019 and 2023. Most of these funds, according to plan, expand combat capabilities, first of all by building the strike capabilities of the National Self-Defense Forces. In particular, it is proposed to increase spending on the development of long-range missiles from the current 200 billion yen to 5 trillion yen.

The document also proposes to increase spending on the development of unmanned aerial vehicles tenfold, from 100 billion yen to 1 trillion yen. It is planned to invest 3 trillion yen in 5 years to strengthen missile defense and air defense systems. And between 2019 and 2023. 1 trillion yen will be allocated for this purpose. It is expected to spend 8 trillion yen for military use in space and cyberspace. 5 trillion more than in the same period.

The Ground Self-Defense Force will increase the number of anti-aircraft missile artillery from five to seven regiments. They are equipped with an upgraded version of the Type 12 anti-ship missile with an increased range. Two new battalions will also be formed. It will carry high-speed cruise missiles, as well as two hypersonic cruise missile forces.

On the military production line - "Nissan" and "Toyota"

It also plans to allocate about 1.4 trillion yen to strengthen the military-industrial sector. This need is because, according to the Government, it is unable to cope with the task of supplying the Self-Defence Forces with modern weapons and military equipment. In that regard, Japan had adopted in June a law on the fundamental restructuring and strengthening of the military industry, which provided substantial subsidies to companies participating in military projects. According to Nikkei, the government has attracted 200 commercial enterprises into the defense industry, hoping to take advantage of the advanced technology they have. In addition, the new law allows Japanese authorities to nationalize manufacturers of military goods if they deem it necessary in order to provide them with more reliable self-defense forces.

The task of militarization of the country, specified in the White Paper's budget request for the next fiscal year of the Ministry of Defense for the next five years, will be drawn up and submitted to the Ministry of Finance from April 1, as reported by Nikki, and after agreement, it will be submitted to Parliament for approval.

As further noted, the budget request lists seven key areas for establishing this process. These include: mass production of long-range missiles primarily used to counter the enemy; comprehensive improvement of air defense and missile defense capabilities; accelerating the development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles; expanding "inter-domain combat capabilities" in space, cyberspace and electromagnetic fields; improving command and management functions and intelligence; modernizing logistics to improve the "mobility and deployment capabilities" of troops; "Sustainability and resilience".

If I take, for example, the production of long-range missiles, for this 755.1 billion yen ($5.18 billion) is required. This is a modernization of the Type 12 anti-ship missile launched on land. Its initial firing range is several hundred km, they plan to increase to 1000 km or more. A land-launched missile version should be delivered to Japan's Self-Defense Forces by the end of fiscal year 2024.

By 2026, Japan will begin deploying hypersonic missiles. Its flight speed is 7-8 km / s, which corresponds to a speed of 25,000 to 28,000. The development of these missiles is underway in kilometers per hour. It is believed that with a range of 1300 km, it can threaten Russian cities such as Khabarovsk. Vladivostok and others, not to mention military facilities.

The budget request for 2024 provides for the creation of an aviation formation, and the latest product purchased in the United States fifth-generation fighter F-35B is planned to purchase 42 aircraft.

Some of them will be used in helicopters. It is currently being upgraded to a light aircraft carrier. For example, the Izumo-type helicopter carrier, two of which are modernized and required 42.3 billion yen in the 2024 budget, can carry up to 12 F-35Bs. The Navy also asked for 3,379.7 billion yen to build two destroyers. Using the "Isis" system, 174.7 billion yen was spent on the construction of two new multipurpose frigates called "New FM".

It is planned to allocate more than 2 trillion yen to the Self-Defense Forces to "ensure self-sufficiency and sustainability." These include the creation of a unified command, masters of land, maritime and air theaters of possible military operations, improvement of military infrastructure, storage of ammunition, additional fuel depots, construction of earthquake-resistant facilities.

Everything is under control, the United States

Overall, military spending in fiscal year 2024 was 7.74 trillion yen ($53 billion). According to the Kiodo agency, this is the largest budget request in Japan's history, as Japan intends to radically increase and strengthen its military capabilities over the next five years.

It should be noted that the plan to militarize and promote Japan's great power interests also includes strengthening Japan's role globally and regionally. Including in the military sphere. Indeed, for now this task will be carried out under the control of the United States. There is no need to emphasize that everything Japan has done in this regard is done with the knowledge and approval of the United States, although objectively countries have different strategic plans and views on the future. If the U.S. sees Japan's militarization as another direction to advance U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific region, Tokyo expects to achieve its goals with Washington's help.

A joint statement issued by Joe Biden and Fumio Kishida during their visit to Washington in January emphasized that the Japan-U.S. alliance is "the cornerstone of ensuring peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region" and supports Japan's "bold leadership in fundamentally strengthening defense capabilities." The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in various fields, including space and cyberspace, to strengthen cooperation in areas such as air defense, submarine countermeasures, intelligence and data collection.

The statement also stressed the need for strategic coordination between Japan and NATO countries. Naturally, under the leadership of the United States.

Tokyo has made active efforts in this regard. In the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, it seeks to extend the "area of responsibility" to the Indo-Pacific region. It is noteworthy that Kistad attended the NATO Vilnius Summit and held talks with representatives of the alliance, who also called Japan "the closest and most capable" of all NATO partners. At the same time, an agreement was reached on expanding cooperation between NATO and Japan. In the traditional field, in cyberspace, space with military technology.

"Mini NATO"?

As for the advancement of Japan's military plans in the region, the process is not so fast, in Tokyo, I hope so. First of all, because many countries remember Japan's attitude towards them during World War II. Many Japanese still fall into the sense of superiority of the "mountain and the kingdom of God." In contrast, others can be defined as second-class people.

However, again, on the proposal of the United States, Japan reached an agreement with the Philippines to suffer no less victims of Japanese aggression than South Korea, a security cooperation agreement. In addition, the stationing of Japanese troops in the Philippines was regulated.

Almost the same thing happened in Japan-South Korea relations. Despite strong anti-Japanese sentiment in South Korea, the South Korean government once again said it was necessary to "forget about the past and dissatisfaction with the future" and then expand military cooperation with Japan. Since the beginning of this year, the armed forces of the United States, South Korea and Japan have regularly held missile defense exercises, which confirm the change in this direction. Recently, at the meeting of US leaders, Japan and South Korea at Camp David it even tried to create a tripartite alliance similar to a "mini-NATO".

Finally, I would like to point out: in Japan there is a tradition of New Year's gifts - sickles made of bamboo. It is believed that they are very convenient to "sweep" away happiness. But if Japan wants this happiness at the expense of other countries, she may step on these shovels. What happened in this case, we all know.