Tokyo should hasten efforts to revise its “three security documents”, improve incentives for its defence industry, and consider relaxing restrictions on transferring weapons, Japan’s new Minister of Defence told reporters during a post-inauguration press conference on 22 October.
Shinjiro Koizumi, who succeeded former Minister Gen Nakatani, used the conference to reveal a wide raft of policy changes being considered by the new cabinet, which was assembled after incumbent Sanae Takaichi replaced Shigeru Ishiba as Prime Minister on 21 October.
Many of the proposed changes were attributed to the recently penned agreement between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its new coalition partner Nippon Japan (Japan Innovation Party, or JIP) – regarded as more hawkish than the LDP’s former partner Komeito.
One such measure announced by Koizumi was expediting a review of the three security documents, the National Security Strategy, National Defence Strategy and Defence Buildup Program, which were approved by Cabinet in late 2022, and which form the basis of Japan’s current defence and defence industry planning.
Outlining the case for revising the documents, Koizumi said that Japan’s security threats had intensified significantly since 2022, with the nation now facing the most severe and complex security environment since the Second World War, including neighbouring countries’ rapidly growing weapons arsenals, and attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force.
While Koizumi did not announce a time frame, Takaichi announced on 24 October that the revisions are scheduled for mid-next year in an address to parliament. The Prime Minister further pledged to bring forward the government’s plans to increase defence spending to 2 percent of GDP from 2027 to 2026 – the announcement coming days before Takaichi is expected to defend Japan’s defence spending commitments in a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Koizumi also stated that the government will adopt a raft of measures to improve the output and resilience of Japan’s defence and technological bases, including incentivising investment, allowing for higher profit margins, and strengthening public-private cooperation. This follows a recent spike in defence contractors collapsing or withdrawing from the industry.
Another measure mentioned by the minister is opening trade opportunities to Japan’s defence sector by abolishing rules that limit defence exports to the five categories of rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping equipment. Koizumi added that the measure, which is also contained in the coalition agreement, is widely supported in the LDP, where the transfer of weapons is regarded as an important policy lever for us to create the type of security environment our nation desires.
Koizumi further announced that the government will move forward with the priority, set out in the coalition agreement, to strengthen deterrence by improving Japan’s standoff and counterstrike capabilities. This will include adoption of the proposal set out in last month’s Fundamental Strengthening of Defence Capability report, to acquire vertical launch system (VLS) long range missile-equipped, long range and sustained submersion submarines featuring next-generation propulsion systems.
In the face of repeated questions, the Minister refused to rule out the acquisition of nuclear-powered VLS submarines. “We want to examine measures to elevate our deterrence and responsive capabilities without excluding any option,” he said.