Revision of Security Documents Starts

The Liberal Democratic Party started its internal discussion on revision of “three defense documents” which comprehensively determines Japan’s defense policy. The LDP is going to make a proposal to the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the government will revise the documents before the end of 2026. It is expected that Japan is going to enhance its defense capability based on those new documents. 

Three documents are National Security Strategy (NSS), National Defense Strategy (NDS) and Defense Buildup Program (DBP). First NSS was formulated by Shinzo Abe administration in 2013 and it was revised by prime minister Fumio Kishida in 2022. NDS was known as National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG), which had firstly been issued by Takeo Miki administration in 1976, until it was renamed as NDS in 2022. DBP was formally known as Medium Term Defense Program, the mid- and long-term defense plan which was based on NDPG.

 

Former premier Kishida made fundamental revision on those defense strategies and programs in 2022 and wrapped them up as “three defense documents,” which included NSS, NDS and DBP, concerning severe security environment around Japan and the world. In terms of NSS, the goal of Japan’s security was clarified from enhancing deterrence for its own survival, maintenance of Japan-U.S. alliance and improvement of international security to deterrence against unilateral change of status quo, economic growth, enhanced international order and global issues such as climate change.

 

Takaichi has been arguing that those three documents in 2022 needed to be revised, since she ran for the president of LDP last October. International security environment has changed by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and the War in Gaza. Donald Trump administration of the United States toppled Venezuelan regime by force and unilaterally attacked Iran. International security environment entered a new unpredictable phase.

 

She thought that it was necessary to revise those documents to enhance Japan’s defense capability in this severe security environment. It is also supposed that the revision would be needed to meet demand of Trump administration to increase defense budget of U.S. allies, or to promote export of military equipment with removal of limitation within “five categories” such as rescue, transport, warning, reconnaissance and mine sweeping.

 

 

The LDP Research Commission on Security, chaired by former minister of defense Yasukazu Hamada, had the first meeting on revision of three security documents on March 2nd. They discussed how to deal with pressure from China or modern warfare which takes advantage of cutting-edge technologies such as drones or artificial intelligence.

 

The LDP, with its coalition partner Japan Innovation Party, is going to submit a proposal on revision of three security documents to the government in April. The government will launch experts’ conference to discuss this issue. Takaichi plans to conclude the discussion and release new three security documents by the end of this year.

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