Japan Press Weekly

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2020 July 8 - 14 [POLITICS]

LDP avoids using the term ‘capability to attack enemy bases’ due to fear of facing public criticism

The Liberal Democratic Party is avoiding using the term, “capability to strike enemy bases”, in its discussions on the nation’s security readiness, which may be due to fear of having face fierce public criticism that that capability violates the war-renouncing Article 9.

Following the government decision to cancel its plan to deploy the Aegis Ashore anti-ballistic missile defense system to Japan, the ruling party began discussions on a new missile defense policy and ways to improve Japan’s deterrence capability. One of the key items in the discussion is Japan’s possession of the capability to attack enemy bases.

At a House of Councilors Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting on July 9, Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Inoue Satoshi took up the content of LDP’s discussions regarding Japan’s attack capabilities against enemy bases. In the meeting, LDP lawmaker Sato Masahisa used the wording, “counter-attack capabilities for self-defense”, in his explanation about the party’s discussions.

Inoue pointed out that regardless of whether the LDP uses that controversial phrase or not, the possession of an ability to strike military bases in territories of other countries will require a drastic change in Japan’s “excessively defense-oriented defense” systems, which will lead to a huge military buildup.

Asked by JCP Inoue, Defense Minister Kono Taro cited cases of operations in which the capability to attack enemy bases can be exercised, including detecting accurate locations of missile bases, neutralizing missile attack systems and air defense radars, and destroying missile bases and mobile missile launchers.

Inoue pointed out that in order to carry out such operations, radar networks, spy satellites, and long-range missiles will be needed, and criticized the possession of such an ability for leading to a massive military buildup.

Past related article:
> JCP Koike criticizes PM Abe for wanting to have capability to attack enemy bases [June 23, 2020]