Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister and possibly its most important in the postwar period, was Shinzo Abe.
Abe has been a politician for decades and championed policies that have reshaped Japanese defense and foreign policy.
The world has been reflecting on the policies of Abe and the results they achieved for Japan since Friday’s assassination.
He introduced an economic program called “Abenomics”, which aimed to revive Japan’s ailing economy. It was not a success.
The idea for the Quad was proposed by Abe, which is a group of four countries in the Indo-Pacific that are like-minded to counter China’s increasing influence in the region. Abe also tried to expand the role of the country’s military.
Abe, a traditionally peaceful nation, has been more prominent in recent months following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February. Abe tried to amend a clause in the country’s pacifist constitution that had been in place since World War II. This clause has been in effect since Abe was prime minister.
Article 9 states that Japan can’t use war to settle international disputes. Abe thought that this was obsolete and Japan would be vulnerable to the rising military might of China and an unpredictable North Korea.
Abe was able push through legislation to allow Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to fight alongside allies abroad, but his goal to overhaul Article 9 was extremely divisive in Japan. He never achieved it.
Japan is being forced to review its foreign and defense policies in light of the war in Ukraine.
Chikako Kawakatsu, a professor at Waseda University, Tokyo, said that the Russian aggression against Ukraine was something that was possible but that many Japanese couldn’t believe. “And this was an aggressive state against its neighbor.”
Ueki stated that this has caused many Japanese people to reevaluate their security and defense policies, including military spending which is currently at 1% of the GDP.
Japanans are asking, “Is China another Russia?” Is Japan another Ukraine Is Taiwan an alternative Ukraine? She says. “These are the questions… that is forcing Japan to reconsider its policies.”
Fumio Kishida, the Japanese Prime Minister, warned that the situation in Ukraine could be repeated in Taiwan in May.
Japan is close to the island’s self-governing government, which Beijing claims it has its own territory. Japan is at risk of being swept up by a Chinese military offensive to seize Taiwan.
Abe stated earlier this year that it was very probable, given Japan’s closeness and interests in the area, that it would be sucked into militarily in case of a Chinese attack. He said, “A Taiwan contingency, is a Japanese contingency.”
The Ministry of Defense of Japan is tracking a steady increase in activity by China’s military on the East China Sea, and South China Sea.
Takeshi Ishikawa, a spokesperson for Japan’s Ministry of Defense, stated that China is increasing its military capabilities at a rapid pace and that they are now deploying high-tech equipment on their territory.
Analysts in Japan believe that Japan’s two neighboring countries are also a concern.
North Korea continues to develop its nuclear and missile programs, while Russia and Japan are still at odds over historical territorial claims. Tensions with Russia have increased in recent months, after Japan supported Western sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine. In recent years, Russia and China have been growing closer. For example, they conducted joint air- and sea patrols on Japanese territory.
Ishikawa stated that the U.S. deterrence power was important for maintaining peace and stability in the region. Japan will continue to cooperate with the U.S.
Five new destroyers were recently sent by the U.S. to Yokosuka, to increase its naval presence in Japan.
Kunihiko Miyake is the research director at the Canon Institute for Global Studies, Tokyo. He stated that the U.S. has its interests in deterring China.
He said, “And by the exact same token, Americans are needed in order to deter Chinese,” “So, I believe the alliance’s nature has changed and it’s going in the right direction.
Conservatives of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, LDP want Japan to be more involved in national security.
It is becoming more common to talk about counter-strike capabilities. This would enable them to destroy incoming rockets pre-emptively. Talk has also been heard about increasing defense spending to 2% Japan’s GDP.
Ueki, a Waseda University professor, said that the public had long opposed such moves. But now that is changing.
She said that the public is now more supportive of the plan than they were previously. Japan is talking about a very limited offensive capability, but I believe it to be a positive.
Ueki stated that Japan should be careful that these moves don’t send the wrong message to potential aggressors, and that China’s engagement is still vital. Japan is a major trading partner with China.
Japan will unveil its new national security strategy in the latter part of this year. It is also expected to announce a defense budget and strategy. These documents will outline guidelines for Japan’s foreign policy, defense strategies, as well as possible changes to Article 9.
Hitoshi Tanaka is the chairman of the Institute for International Strategy, Japan Research Institute. He stated that Article 9 has been amended over time. Japan sent Self-Defense Forces into Iraq in 2004 to aid with reconstruction. Its navy participated in refuelling missions in the Indian Ocean to support U.S. fighter jets during the war in Afghanistan.
Tanaka, who was a diplomat in the past, stated that these missions did not involve combat. Tanaka stated that to achieve this, the country would need to fundamentally change its constitution.
He said, “I’m not disputing the need to have a discussion on the amendment of the Constitution.” You don’t do it when the atmosphere is very explosive aEUR” Ukraine and Russia, China, etc. Let’s be quiet. Let’s not be too cold.
Japan’s new national strategy for security will require significant changes to its pacifist constitution. If so, it will be one step closer towards securing the legacy of the late Prime Minister Abe.
