January 28, 2023

Japanese Communist Party Secretariate Head Koike Akira in his interpellation at the House of Councilors plenary session on January 27 revealed that the government-proposed budget draft for FY 2023 includes an allocation for the construction of underground command centers for Self-Defense Forces located not only in Okinawa but also in urban areas on Japan’s mainland.

Koike asked Prime Minister Kishida Fumio if the government assumes that SDF bases located in urban areas could come under attack.

PM Kishida answered, "It is important to improve the ability of SDF facilities to withstand attacks," implying the assumption that SDF bases would be targeted.

Koike pointed out that the chairman's statement at the East Asia Summit last year in which PM Kishida himself participated states that ASEAN will address issues by promoting an atmosphere for peaceful dialogue among all parties concerned. He said that counterforce (enemy-strike) capabilities and an arms buildup which the government is seeking to introduce go against the promotion of an atmosphere to encourage peaceful dialogue.

Koike pointed out that ASEAN is calling for a treaty of amity and cooperation covering the whole of East Asia as a framework of peace. He demanded that Japan in cooperation with ASEAN be committed to building this framework covering all parties concerned, including the United States and China.

In response, PM Kishida said that it is fundamental to maintain regional peace through diplomacy, and that the strengthening of Japan's defense capability will ensure the success of such diplomacy. He also said that the strengthening of the Japan-U.S. alliance deterrence capabilities will also contribute to regional peace and prosperity.