Threat on a New Stage

The Cabinet led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved annual report on defense of Japan, or Defense White Paper 2017, on Tuesday. Having received consecutive intimidation, the government of Japan described North Korea as threat on a new stage in the paper. It also predicted China to enhance activities in South China Sea. Japan is going to improve capability for dealing with possible events through closer relationship with United States.

The paper analyzes international security situation around Japan as getting severe with appearance of various issues and instability. On North Korea, it realizes likeliness of continuous development of nuclear and ballistic missile technology. “As an indispensable deterrence for maintaining its regime, North Korea promotes development of nuclear weapon,” tells the paper. Ministry of Defense regards Kim Jong-un regime as improving nuclear capability to a certain level, considering accumulation of nuclear tests five times. The paper also notes a possibility of achievement in downsizing of warhead to the level of loadable on ballistic missile.

The paper recognizes the ballistic missile launched on July 4th of this year as an inter-continental ballistic missile which could fly 5,500 kilometers. “As announcing that it verified its technology for re-entry into atmosphere, North Korea seems to be seeking practical use of long-ranged ballistic missiles,” describes the paper. It also realizes improvement in mobility of missile launcher, possible achievement of technology in solid fueling and difficulty in shooting the missiles down when it is launched to lofted orbit. MoD noted uncertainty of North Korea, including a possibility of military intimidation.

China is another uncertainty for Japan. “Based on unique appeals on its own, which do not cope with existing international order, China continues forceful behavior such as changing status quo backed by its power, and it includes dangerous activities possibly causing unexpected situation,” warns the paper. Quoting the advance of a Chinese aircraft Carrier, Liaoning, to the western Pacific Ocean, it predicts active moves of China in Japan Sea.

The paper concludes that enhancement of Japan-U.S. alliance is more important than ever. “The presence of U.S. Forces in Japan based on Japan-U.S. Security Treaty works not only for our interest, but for the interest of U.S. that has its own interest in this region,” describes the paper. However, the government of Japan has been failing in persuading the people in Okinawa, where over 70% of all U.S. bases in Japan is concentrated.