Positive on Offensive Capability

The Ministry of Defense decided its budgetary request for FY 2014 (April 2014 to March 2015) on Friday. It marked 2.9% surplus from approved budget at the starting point of FY 2013, the year which appropriated surplus for the first time in eleven years. Looking into the procurement the ministry demanded, one can realize that the Self-defense Force is focusing on China and North Korea with maximum readiness. The point is whether it is enough or not.

For annual governmental budget, each ministry submits the Ministry of Finance its request by the end of August every year. As soon as MoF makes a draft for the fiscal plan based on those requests in December, Cabinet approves it and submits it to the National Diet, mandatorily to the House of Representatives, by the end of the year. The diet discusses the fiscal plan and the plan is ordinarily approved by the end of March next year. Rarely amended the plan will be, this budget system is a great resource of MoF’s power in the Government of Japan.

However, each ministry ambitiously requested its budget, following the attitude of Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, that encourages positive use of tax money to implement his strategy of economic growth. The Ministry of Defense focused on new procurement to enhance “Marine Corps ability” required in an operation of returning island back from the occupier.

The request includes establishment of Sea-Land Convertible Readiness Unit to consider feasibility of procurement needed for sea-land operation. For that purpose, the ministry expects to buy an assault amphibious vehicle for examining its performance. It also is increasing drills for sea-land operation, including participation of Ground Self-defense Force to the Rim of the Pacific Exercise hosted by U.S. Marine.

The ministry is also introducing tiltrotor aircraft, MV-22 Osprey, in FY 2015, to enhance ability of swift deployment to island area. For early warning on missiles and nuclear activity in North Korea and active move of China in East China Sea, it starts consideration of introducing high-altitude unmanned areal vehicle, RQ-4 Global Hawk. It is also adding four stealth capable fighter jets, F-35 Lightening II in FY 2014.

With the requirement of the Constitution, the ability of Self-defense Force needs to be limited only for defensive purpose. Those procurements are regarded as related to offensive operation, being doubted to be necessary from the viewpoint of non-aggressive national defense policy. If it is not enough for deterring Chinese assertive action in East China Sea, that positive request only stimulates aggressive motivation of China against Japan.