Japan Press Weekly

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2022 October 19 - 25 [POLITICS]

Shii criticizes LDP-Komei talks regarding three key national security policy documents

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on October 20 at a press conference in the Diet building said that the need now is for Japan to have a diplomatic strategy, not to become caught up in strengthening its military capabilities.

Shii made this remark in his comment on discussions which the ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties began two days earlier regarding a review of three key national security policy documents (the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Program Guidelines, and the Mid-Term Defense Program) with a focus on Japan’s possession of an enemy base strike (counterforce) capability and the doubling of Japan’s military spending.

Shii pointed out that driven by Russia’s war in Ukraine, North Korea’s ballistic missile launches, and heightened tensions between the U.S. and China, calls from constitutional revisionists for Japan’s possession of a counterforce capability and a doubling of the defense budget have been growing. He went on to point out that under this situation, the problem is that the LDP and Komei parties have no effective diplomatic strategy, which is very serious.

Shii said, “The LDP claims that the importance of military capability is of the same importance as diplomatic tools. However, it appears to not be serious about having a coherent diplomatic strategy. What the LDP has done is to put its focus on a huge military buildup. This is very dangerous.”

Shii referred to the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). He explained that under this concept, ASEAN seeks to solve every issue in a peaceful manner with participation of the U.S. and all East Asian countries including Japan and China, and added, “Japan should cooperate with ASEAN in pursuing this course.”

Furthermore, Shii said, “What I’d like to stress is how to diplomatically approach China.”

Stating that the JCP severely criticizes China’s hegemonism as well as its alleged human rights violations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, Shii said, “At the same time, the JCP calls for a calm response toward China on the grounds that the strengthening of the Japan-U.S. military alliance and creating a framework which excludes China, such as the quad framework involving Japan, the U.S., Australia, and India, may lead to an escalation in China’s military buildup.”

Shii pointed out that the creation of a framework excluding China may divide the region and establish a very dangerous situation similar to one that existed during the Cold War period. He said, "To set up a framework for regional peace and cooperation based on inclusive approaches is the best way to achieve genuine peace in the region.”