Posted on 12/16/2022 4:27:48 AM PST by RomanSoldier19
TOKYO—Japan called China its biggest security challenge and said it would sharply raise military spending including for missiles that can hit other countries, marking one of Tokyo’s biggest post-World War II shifts away from pacifism.
Releasing its long-awaited military strategy for the next decade, Tokyo said Friday that by fiscal 2027, it would spend about 2% of its gross domestic product on defense, up from about 1% now. Based on current GDP, that would bring annual spending to the equivalent of around $80 billion, putting Japan third in the world behind the U.S. and China.
Around $3.7 billion is earmarked over the next five years for missile systems, including American Tomahawk missiles, which would give Japan the ability to target foreign military facilities if an attack appeared imminent. That is a turnaround from Tokyo’s postwar pacifist outlook, enshrined in its war-renouncing constitution, which made it wary of threatening other countries.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
What is that?
$80B? That is what we give anmually to Capt. Z and the Ukes.
I thought something like this was strictly forbidden by their constitution...which the US wrote for them after WWII.
Yeah, but part of that goes to Christmas gifts and foreign mansions for connected Ukrainian officials.
Absolutely understandable that Japan...the ROK...and other East Asian and Southeast Asian countries would be shaking in their boots right now,particularly given that they know that the Butchers of Beijing own America’s Rat Party.
How much does the “Big Guy” get?
Don’t underestimate Japan. They have a very sophisticated Navy, and they understand China is a serious threat.
Makes me smile.
The only real local threat to China’s Navy is the Indian Navy.
Japan has a Blue Water Navy. China has a mud Navy.
Sooner or later, Japan will go Tora, Tora, Tora on the Chinese.
Local is irrelevant when many of the world navies are actively patrolling the East and South China Seas
” Sooner or later, Japan will go Tora, Tora, Tora on the Chinese.”
Never going to happen .
HERE we go.
It is something that we should all be aware of. The Japanese can be fierce warriors, and if they decide to become a war machine again, it does not bode well for the rest of the world. Some might say ‘let the Japanese fight the Chinese’. Could be a very bad move for the rest of the world.
Japan is old with a well below replacement birth rate.
“Tokyo’s biggest post-World War II shifts away from pacifism.”
Seems that pacifism offers very little protection for a country, but the CCP really appreciates it in other countries. Makes their job easier.
Another possibility, especially given Abe’s assassination: The ChiComs now own Japan and this is their new forward operating base.
“Citing China as Its No. 1 Menace”
Sounds like they forgot to check with the Neocons, who would have told them to STICK WITH THE SCRIPT and say RUSSIA is the #1 Menace.
Hopefully we don’t punish Japan too badly from that, albeit, HUGE mistake.
” Sooner or later, Japan will go Tora, Tora, Tora on the Chinese.”
Never going to happen.
Agree, short of being provoked, and it’s not smart to provoke Japan, they are a VERY unified country.
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