Japan's record defense budget unsettling region
Updated: 2015-12-29 07:53
By Cai Hong(China Daily)
|
||||||||
Also on the shopping list are AAV7 amphibious assault vehicles - Japan is in the process of setting up an Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade by 2017.
Japanese defense ministry's 10-year National Program Guidelines - subdivided into two five-year Mid-Term Defense Programs - have allocated 23.97 trillion yen over the five years from 2014 to 2018 toward the creation of more amphibious warfare capabilities and a lighter "dynamic joint defense force".
By the end of 2023, the ministry plans to convert seven out of the current 15 SDF brigades and divisions into mobile divisions.
Japan has a small, but highly sophisticated SDF. Current spending on defense provides Japan with significant capacity to maintain a modern, high technology force. Japan's latent capacity to increase defense spending significantly in the future shouldn't be underestimated.
Japan has initiated defense cooperation with the ASEAN countries, especially those that have territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea, to train and improve their own coast guards.
During their first two-plus-two talks, Japan reached an agreement with Indonesia on Dec 17 following Tokyo's accord with India on the legal framework for transfers of defense equipment and technology.
Japan's rising defense budget represents a strategic move with significant implications for the security situation in Asia.
The ongoing transformation of Japan's security policy on the basis of Abe's so-called proactive pacifism will have far-reaching effects on security and the balance of power in the region.
The author is China Daily's Tokyo bureau chief. caihong@chinadaily.com.cn
- Commentary: New US-Japan defense guidelines inject instability in East Asia
- Take objective view of scholar's remarks on Japan's militarism
- Japan should not upset G20 Summit over South China Sea issue
- Relations with Japan thawing but not yet warm enough
- Time for Japan to stop blaming China
- FM: Japan has no rights to comment irresponsibly on S. China Sea issue
- Global health entering new era: WHO chief
- Brazil's planning minister steps aside after recordings revelation
- Vietnam, US adopt joint statement on advancing comprehensive partnership
- European border closures 'inhumane': UN refugee agency
- Japan's foreign minister calls A-bombings extremely regrettable
- Fukushima impact unprecedented for oceans: US expert
- Stars of Lijiang River: Elderly brothers with white beards
- Wealthy Chinese children paying money to learn British manners
- Military-style wedding: Fighter jets, grooms in dashing uniforms
- Striking photos around the world: May 16 - May 22
- Robots help elderly in nursing home in east China
- Hanging in the air: Chongqing holds rescue drill
- 2.1-ton tofu finishes in two hours in central China
- Six things you may not know about Grain Buds
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Anti-graft campaign targets poverty relief |
Cherry blossom signal arrival of spring |
In pictures: Destroying fake and shoddy products |
China's southernmost city to plant 500,000 trees |
Cavers make rare finds in Guangxi expedition |
Cutting hair for Longtaitou Festival |
Today's Top News
Liang avoids jail in shooting death
China's finance minister addresses ratings downgrade
Duke alumni visit Chinese Embassy
Marriott unlikely to top Anbang offer for Starwood: Observers
Chinese biopharma debuts on Nasdaq
What ends Jeb Bush's White House hopes
Investigation for Nicolas's campaign
Will US-ASEAN meeting be good for region?
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |