On the 21st, as soon as Takayuki Kishimoto became the Prime Minister, he issued three instructions at once, all involving China's security!

According to a report by Kyodo News, Kishimoto has coordinated to immediately instruct the discussion of revising three security-related documents after being elected Prime Minister. These three documents are considered the top-level design of Japan's security policy. Revising them means a fundamental adjustment of Japan's military strategy. Kishimoto's revision plan includes three core contents: increasing the proportion of defense spending, expanding arms exports, and exploring the introduction of nuclear submarines.

The first thing is to continue increasing military spending. Everyone may remember that Japan had previously set a target: to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP by fiscal year 2027.

What does this percentage mean? In 2023, Japan's GDP was approximately $4.23 trillion, and 2% would be $84.6 billion. However, Kishimoto has now stated that this number is not enough and needs to be increased further.

Where will the money come from? She explicitly considers raising taxes to raise funds, including increasing corporate income tax, individual income tax, and tobacco tax.

In 2023 alone, Japan's defense budget had already reached about 6.8 trillion yen (approximately 47 billion dollars), setting a new historical high. Now adding more indicates that Japan's military expansion is accelerating. The Kyodo News report also pointed out that one of the core goals of this military expansion is "to enhance the combat power of the Self-Defense Forces" to deal with the so-called "threats in the southwest direction"—who this direction points to is obvious.

The second matter is to relax restrictions on arms exports. Japan has long imposed strict restrictions on arms exports, allowing only the export of defense equipment for five non-combat purposes, such as logistical support for UN peacekeeping operations. But now, Kishimoto is preparing to overturn this rule and open up the export of military equipment.

Who is the key target? The Philippines.

According to public data, over the past five years, Japan has provided more than 2 billion yen in maritime law enforcement equipment assistance to the Philippines, including patrol boats and radar systems. Now, if arms exports are relaxed, it means Japan can sell more advanced equipment to the Philippines, such as anti-ship missiles, air defense systems, and even drones. It is clear who this move is targeting.

The third matter is to discuss the introduction of nuclear submarines. This signal is even stronger. Japan's current Maritime Self-Defense Force has 22 conventional-powered submarines, making it one of the largest conventional submarine forces in Asia. But Kishimoto is now proposing to study the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines, which means Japan may break the long-standing "three principles of no nuclear weapons."

Nuclear submarines have advantages such as strong endurance and high stealth, capable of submerging underwater for weeks or even months, making them very suitable for long-term surveillance and blockage missions in the vast Western Pacific. Once Japan possesses nuclear submarines, it will greatly change the underwater power balance in the Western Pacific, directly impacting China's maritime strategic channels.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846573412794375/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.