Defense White Paper Stresses Regional Threats

Ministry of Defense published its annual white paper titled “Defense of Japan 2024” on July 12. The white paper sees that the world is “facing its greatest trial since WWII and entering new era or crisis.” The ministry is enhancing its defense capability by building measures against attempt of changing status quo by force and cooperation with the United States and like-minded countries. However, current mass discipline in Japan Self-defense Force eroded credibility of defense of Japan.

Recognizing dramatic shift of balance of power, the white paper determines that global security challenges are prominent in the Indo-Pacific region, where Japan is located. It accuses of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine as serious violation of international laws. The paper requires Japan, as an ally of the United States, to monitor future changes in European situation, acknowledging that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific is in separable.

 

The white paper warned activities of China in the region. “China has been intensifying its activities across the entire region surrounding Japan, including the East China Sea, particularly in the area around Senkaku Islands, the Sea of Japan, and the western Pacific Ocean, extending beyond the so-called the first island chain to the second island chain,” says the paper.

 

It also analyzes China’s possible advance to Taiwan, based on an unofficial report in Taiwan. The process would be 1) making a panic in Taiwan with “cognitive warfare” by deploying military power to the coastal area, 2) strike military facilities in Taiwan with ballistic missiles, and 3) siege Taiwan island through landing operation before foreign troops arrive. Foreign ministry of China expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition against Japan’s defense white paper.

 

The paper also describes that “North Korea’s military activities are posing more grave and imminent threat to Japan’s security than ever before,” referring to the development of technological capability of mounting nuclear weapons on ballistic missiles, including solid-fuel propelled intercontinental ballistic missiles.

 

Japan is dealing with those regional threats by enhancing its defense capability, including cyber security or accumulation of defense budget. It also relies on cooperation with the United States and other countries, emphasizing improving relationship with the Republic of Korea.

 

On the same day, MOD announced punishment on 218 members of Self-defense force. They were suspected to have inappropriately handled the special designated secrets and committed to wrong practices or harassment on their subordinates.

 

The white paper explained previous mishandlings of security information, including the special designated secrets. However, it did not present preventive measures for those examples. The mass punishment questioned capability of Self-defense Force to properly share information with foreign forces, namely the United States. Raising motivation of the members of SDF should be the biggest point to enhance security capability of Japan.

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