Japan’s leader prioritizes arms buildup, reversing low birthrate. In his policy speech opening this year’s parliamentary session. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said active diplomacy should be prioritized. but it requires “defense power to back it up.”
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Monday. That Japan faced the most serious security environment in the region since the end of World War II. And pledged to tackle military buildup as well as declining births under. A adopted security strategy so the country can survive. strength
Kishidar’s government adopted major security.
And defense reforms in December, including a counter-strike capability. That breaks away from the country’s only post-war policy.
Japan says its current deployment of missile interceptors is insufficient to protect. Against rapid weapons advances by China and North Korea.
In his policy speech at the start of this year’s parliamentary session. Kishida said proactive diplomacy should be prioritized, but that it “needs defense power”. He said Japan’s new security strategy is based. On realistic simulations “as we face the most serious. And complex security environment since the end of World War II. And whether we can save people’s lives in an emergency.”
The strategy seeks to contain China’s assertive regional ambitions. But is also a sensitive issue for many Asian countries. That suffered from Japan’s wartime aggression. Kishida said it was a “drastic change” in Japan’s security policy. But still within the constraints of its pacifist constitution and international law.
“I make it clear that Japan’s non-nuclear and policy and our actions. As a peace-loving country will not change in the slightest,” Kishida said.
This month, Kishida toured five countries. Including Washington, to explain Japan’s new defense plans. And further improve defense ties with its ally the United States.
While the security strategy said China presented “unprecedented. And greatest strategic challenges” to peace and security in Japan. And the region, Kishida said he hoped to maintain dialogue with China. Including its leader Xi Jinping, to find “constructive and stable”. relationship.”
Japan plans to double its defense budget to 43 trillion yen ($332 billion) over five years. And improve cyberspace and intelligence capabilities. While three-quarters of the annual defense budget increase could be imposed through spending. And revenue reforms, the rest would have to come from a possible tax hike. And Kishida has already faced. Growing criticism from opposition lawmakers and even his ruling party.
Kishida faces a critical question of population growth.
“We can’t waste any time on policies and childcare support for children,” he said. “We must establish a child-first economic society and turn the birth rate around.”
Japan’s population of more than 125 million has been declining for 14 years and is projected to drop to 86.7 million by 2060. A shrinking and aging population has huge implications for the economy and national security
Kishida pledged to strengthen financial support for families with children. Including more scholarships, and said he would compile a set of “different measures.”
So far, efforts to encourage people to have more children have had limited impact.
Despite subsidies for pregnancy, childbirth and childcare. Some experts say government subsidies still target parents who already have children. Rather than removing the disadvantages that are discouraging young people from starting families.
Opposition lawmakers questioned. How Kishidar’s government would manage the huge spending on key policies.
Katsuya Okada, secretary general of Japan’s main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party.
“It is important to think about an appropriate balance of the economy in the medium to long term. There must be a proper discussion about what should be spent and how much money should be spent,” he said.
Japan is the world’s third-largest economy but the cost of living is high and wage growth has been slow. Conservative governments have fallen behind. Making society more inclusive for children, women and minorities.
