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GUEST COLUMN Dr. Elli-Katharina Pohlkamp

SETTING THE

COURSE: JAPAN’S

NEW SECURITY

STRATEGY

years – both notable changes from the previous security strat-
egy. Japanese policymakers have debated how best to respond to
threats for years. Until now, Japan’s missiles had a limited range of
200km, but it is now planning to introduce Tomahawk cruise mis-
siles, produced by the United States, which have a range of 1,610km.
apan’s new security strategy sends a pow-
Jerful signal to current and future allies – and Sceptics of this new direction have raised concerns that this new
capability could be unconstitutional, as the missiles could also be
to possible adversaries.
used offensively. But the missiles will only be allowed for pre-emptive
strikes, maintaining Japan’s exclusively defence-oriented stance.
The year 2023 is already shaping up to be con- Nonetheless this capability is supposed to send a strong message
sequential for Japan’s role in the Indo-Pacific to possible adversaries that Japan is prepared to defend itself in
and on the global stage. On 1 January, Japan the event of an attack.
took over the G7 presidency and joined the
United Nations Security Council as a non-per- In addition to counterstrike capabilities, the increase in defence
manent member for the next two years. Shortly spending will allow for investments in cyber warfare, space, and a
before, the Japanese government released programme to develop a sixth-generation fighter aircraft with the
three strategic documents to address security United Kingdom and Italy, known as “Tempest”. If the increase is fully
challenges in the region: the National Security executed, it would make Japan the third largest defence spender
Strategy (NSS), the National Defense Strategy, after the US and China. National investment in research and devel-
and the Defense Buildup Program. With them, opment will have a security related focus and parts of the national
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is sending a power- innovation budget will also cover technologies that are needed for
ful signal that Japan is an Indo-Pacific security Japan’s defence for the first time. The NSS also announced plans for
ally that Europe can count on. a new joint command in the SDF to oversee its three Self-Defense
Force units and better coordinate with the US military.
This is the first time the NSS has been revised
since 2013. The new version has two major goals
– to strengthen Japan’s deterrence ability and
to ensure the Self Defense Forces (SDF) are ready
to fight in the case of a conflict. This strategy,
coupled with the strong diplomatic demean-
our currently shown by Kishida, represents a
remarkable turn. It announces the decision to
carry out a multi-layered overhaul encompass-
ing defence, technological, economic, cyber,
space, and intelligence capabilities.

The NSS outlines a commitment to acquire
“counterstrike capabilities” and increase the
defence budget to 2 per cent of GDP over five
ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY MARCH 2023 | 31