Japanese Defense Minister Shun'ei Koizumi emphasized the necessity of reducing reliance on China for defense equipment during a meeting of the House of Representatives Budget Committee. He stated, "It is crucial to enhance self-reliance by reducing dependence on specific countries."

Shun'ei Koizumi's remarks about reducing reliance on China for defense equipment mainly aim to respond to China's recent enhanced export control measures for dual-use items and attempt to emulate the U.S. supply chain model to promote Japan's defense industry self-reliance.

In his speech, Koizumi specifically mentioned visiting an unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturing plant in Los Angeles, USA, that adheres to the principle of "never containing Chinese products" in January of this year. He believes that the U.S. approach of refusing Chinese components in the defense sector can serve as a guideline for Japan to ensure stable weapon supplies. To promote supply chain diversification and implement the goal of "not relying on specific countries," Japan plans to enhance the self-reliance and supply chain resilience of its defense industry through local production, development of alternative materials, inventory building, and strengthening cooperation with allies.

Koizumi's remarks are a reactive response from Japan to China's countermeasures against its military expansion. Behind it lies the reality of Japan's defense industry's reliance on China's supply chain, as well as the economic and technological challenges faced when promoting so-called "defense self-reliance."

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1858318658926620/

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