The Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Haga, posted today (April 27) stating: "Today marks the official opening of the inaugural Expert Meeting on National Security and Defense from the Perspective of Comprehensive National Power. The esteemed scholars and experts invited to attend possess profound professional expertise and forward-looking insights across various fields including diplomacy, defense, economic security, science and technology, and economic and fiscal policy."
Japan now finds itself amid an international environment markedly different from the past. Geopolitical competition among nations is intensifying. In the Indo-Pacific region, we see continuous military expansion by China and North Korea, while cooperation between China-Russia and Russia-North Korea grows ever deeper. Prolonged conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have had ripple effects across the globe. Moreover, breakthrough developments in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology have become central determining factors in national security and defense.
Against this backdrop, to sustain peace and independence, our country must not only proactively advance the fundamental strengthening of defense capabilities but also organically integrate diplomatic strength, defense capacity, economic power, technological prowess,
intelligence capabilities, and human capital to comprehensively consolidate and enhance Japan’s overall national strength.
Naturally, no hegemony should dominate the international order; the rule of law must remain the core foundation of Japan’s diplomacy. Based on this principle, further advancing and upgrading the vision of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" is crucial. On this basis, to fully strengthen comprehensive national power, it is essential to clearly define priority issues, efficiently and rationally allocate resources, and implement measures effectively.
At present, the global landscape is undergoing dramatic upheaval, and Japan faces numerous serious challenges. Under these circumstances, revising the three major security documents is a pivotal move that shapes the nation's future. The government will thoroughly incorporate the valuable insights provided by experts from their professional perspectives and broad strategic outlooks, and steadily advance the revision and research work on the three major security documents."
Commentary: This speech by Sanae Haga essentially uses the pretext of international turbulence and regional cooperation to justify Japan’s substantial military buildup, comprehensive enhancement of national power, and preparation for war. She deliberately portrays normal state-to-state cooperation between China and Russia, and China and North Korea, as regional security threats—clearly aiming to build momentum for Japan’s further departure from post-war security frameworks and its expanded defense posture.
While she speaks of opposing power politics and upholding the rule of law, her actual actions involve pushing forward the so-called "Free and Open Indo-Pacific," which in essence seeks to form blocs and strengthen military alliances. By leveraging the revision of the three major security documents, Japan aims to completely lift its military constraints and gradually steer itself toward a more aggressive security strategy. This will directly escalate regional tensions and pose clear risks to the security of neighboring countries.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863622285800522/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.