Letters | Japan’s military build-up runs counter to Asia’s peace and prosperity

Readers discuss what Japan’s departure from pacifism means to Asia, and wonder what the Year of the Rabbit holds for Ukraine

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A man holds a placard reading “Stop the military expansion!” participates in a protest near Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s official residence in Tokyo on December 16. The Japanese government plans to raise taxes to fund an increase in the defence budget. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 2:30pm, 31 Dec 2022

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Japan is doubling military spending to 2 per cent of gross domestic product. This is by no means a small increase. This level of spending will be in line with that of Nato members. Japan aims to spend 43 trillion yen (US$320 billion) over the five years starting from April.

Furthermore, Japan’s acquisition of offensive weapons that can target other nations is a departure from its post-war pacifist constitution.

For the rest of Asia, steeped in historical grievances, this is a disturbing change to the status quo. Japan’s wartime atrocities have sensitised many Asian nations to its military posturing. The country’s departure from pacifism could reopen historical wounds, sour relations with China and perhaps provoke reactionary measures leading to greater regional tensions.

Currently, Asia’s stability still hinges on the United States. US State Secretary Antony Blinken’s statement welcoming Japan’s military build-up highlights American strategy for China.

But is unleashing a militarised Japan in the best interest of Asia? For the US, this may be a cost-effective way to counter China, while for Japan, this may be a risk it is willing to bear in pursuit of its ambition.

But for the rest of the region, a remilitarised Japan could fundamentally change the regional order beyond US control.