Japan's ruling party pushes security overhaul, sparking protests
Amid widespread domestic and international criticism of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Monday initiated discussions to revise the country's key security documents ahead of schedule. The proposed changes would focus on re-examining the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles," increasing defense spending, and easing restrictions on defense equipment exports. The move has drawn fierce criticism from the public, with large crowds of Japanese protesters gathering outside the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Tuesday evening, demanding Takaichi retract her remarks and resign.
Since taking office, Takaichi has frequently taken steps to revise Japan's security policies. On Monday morning, the LDP held a meeting at its headquarters to formally begin discussions on revising the "Three Key National Security Documents," including the National Security Strategy. According to Japanese media, the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" and new targets for increasing defense spending were key topics of discussion.
The "Three Non-Nuclear Principles," which form the basis of Japan's nuclear policy, stipulate that Japan will not possess, manufacture, or allow the introduction of nuclear weapons into its territory. The Nikkei Shimbun reported that there are voices within the Japanese government proposing to remove the "not allow the introduction" clause from the principles, a move that would permit the U.S. military to bring nuclear weapons into Japan. By revising the principles, Japan seeks to deploy U.S. tactical nuclear weapons on its soil, explicitly demonstrating its nuclear deterrence capabilities.
Regarding defense spending, the current security documents set a target for defense and related expenditures to reach 2% of GDP between fiscal years 2023 and 2027. Japanese media reported that Takaichi has expressed her intention to achieve the 2% target ahead of schedule through a supplementary budget within the current fiscal year. Another major topic of discussion was lifting the current restrictions on defense equipment exports, which are limited to five non-combat categories: rescue, transport, vigilance, surveillance, and mine clearance.
In addition, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed on Monday that the Japanese government has exported Patriot interceptor missiles from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's inventory to the United States. This marks Japan's first export of lethal weapons since the government revised the "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology" in 2023 to ease restrictions on arms exports.
"No Crisis Until Takaichi Created One"
Takaichi and the LDP's recent actions have triggered widespread alarm and strong criticism. On Tuesday evening, large crowds of Japanese protesters gathered outside the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, demanding that Takaichi retract her erroneous remarks about the so-called "survival crisis" and calling for her resignation. This follows a similar protest on Nov. 15, when Japanese citizens also gathered to condemn Takaichi's inappropriate statements.
Protesters held signs with messages such as "No crisis until Takaichi created one," "Takaichi's diplomatic skills are zero," "Do not inflame the risk of war," "Retract the erroneous remarks," "Takaichi must resign," and "Apologize to the Chinese people." The organizing group posted on the social media platform X that approximately 1,700 people participated in the protest.
On the same day, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, along with representatives from multiple Japanese political parties and Diet members, held a rally. They submitted a joint statement demanding that the Japanese government sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. They also strongly protested the Takaichi cabinet's consideration of revising the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" and urged the government to uphold and legislate the non-nuclear principles.
Japanese media have also expressed opposition to the Takaichi government's potential revision of the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles." The Tokyo Shimbun argued that increasing defense spending would place a heavier burden on citizens. If restrictions on the export of highly lethal weapons to other countries are lifted, the principle of "avoiding involvement in international conflicts" under Japan's pacifist constitution would become utterly meaningless.
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