China News Service, Dec. 2 — On Nov. 30, Japan's Asahi Shimbun published an editorial titled "Amendment of the Three Security Documents: A Worrying Sign of the Erosion of a Peaceful Nation," pointing out that Japanese Prime Minister Takahashi Hayato not only promotes further increases in defense spending and significant relaxation of restrictions on arms exports, but also considers re-examining the so-called "three non-nuclear principles" regarded as Japan's national policy. These overambitious efforts by Takahashi Hayato to enhance defense capabilities may further alter Japan's nature as a peaceful nation.

The article introduced that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has already begun discussions on amending the three security-related documents in advance, and Takahashi plans to complete the revision by 2026.

Since the post-war period, Japan's defense spending has been roughly around 1% of its gross domestic product (GDP), but the current three documents decided to increase it to 2% within five years. Takahashi is increasing defense spending through supplementary budget proposals, aiming to achieve the target two years ahead of schedule this year.

The article points out that the 2% ratio itself was decided in a top-down manner with "total amount priority," without field-level accumulation. The start date for the income tax increase, one of the sources of funding, remains undetermined, and the remaining use of defense spending is often mentioned.

Although the United States has urged its "allies" to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, Japan should carefully examine the necessity and cost-benefit ratio, and make its own judgment independently.

Regarding the issue of arms exports, the report believes that before the amendment of the three security documents, it is possible that the decision to further relax arms export controls will be made first.

In the current guidelines for the transfer of defense equipment, the export targets are limited to five categories: "rescue, transportation, surveillance, monitoring, and mine clearance." However, the joint agreement between the LDP and the Nippon Ishin party explicitly states that it will "abolish" these provisions during the 2026 regular session of the Diet.

Moreover, the Japanese government has already decided to provide weapons with high destructive power. The next-generation fighter aircraft jointly developed by Japan, the UK, and Italy will be exported to third countries from Japan. Japan has also exported destroyers to Australia in the form of joint development and production.

The article emphasizes that if these five categories of restrictions are abolished, Japan will lose the "brake" and may embark on the path of becoming a major arms exporter.

The handling of the "three non-nuclear principles" in the current three documents is also a focus. The principle advocates "not possessing, not manufacturing, and not introducing" nuclear weapons, and the guideline states that it will be "adhered to" in the future. However, Takahashi has consistently argued that "not introducing" is not feasible in reality because Japan relies on the U.S. "nuclear umbrella."

The article points out that based on the firm support of the Japanese people for "never allowing the tragic experience of being bombed by atomic bombs to be repeated," the "three non-nuclear principles" have long been supported by the Japanese public, and should not be easily changed by the current administration. Japan, as a country that was bombed by atomic bombs, changing the principle would have negative consequences, and this reality should be acknowledged. (End)

Original: toutiao.com/article/7579096724539539978/

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