Japan finalizes new National Defense Program Guideline

Posted on : 2018-12-19 16:29 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Move to increase long-range strike capabilities signals intent to gain air supremacy
The Izumo-class helicopter destroyer that the Japanese government is planning on converting into an aircraft carrier. (Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force website)
The Izumo-class helicopter destroyer that the Japanese government is planning on converting into an aircraft carrier. (Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force website)

The Japanese government finalized new a National Defense Program Guideline (NDPG) that includes a large-scale increase in the long-range strike capabilities of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).

Analysts argued that the move will have the effect of gutting the principle of “exclusive defense orientation” (exercising a minimum of military force only in situations where Japan is under attack), suggesting the separation of roles between the “sword” of US Forces Japan and the “shield” of JSDF could be completely obliterated.

On Dec. 18, the Japanese Cabinet passed the NDPG as a long-term defense plan, along with a five-year Medium Term Defense Program for weapons procurement (2019–2023). It further announced plans to acquire an additional 105 F-35A and F-35B state-of-the-art fighter aircraft, bringing its total up to 147.

The amended NDPG includes plans for large-scale acquisition of long-range attack weapons. Chief among these is an aircraft carrier – seen as a key form of offensive weaponry.

The NDPG mentioned plans for “strengthening aerial measure capabilities in Japan and the Pacific through the building a fighter aircraft system incorporating short-range takeoff and vertical landing aircraft,” while the Medium Term Defense Program mentioned “retrofitting the Izumo-class destroyer into a multipurpose destroyer.”

Converting destroyers into aircraft carriers

In summary, the plan involves remodeling two Izumo-class helicopter destroyers into aircraft carriers to transport fighter aircraft with short-range takeoff and vertical landing capabilities – giving Japan what amounts to its first aircraft carrier since the end of World War II. Forty-two F53-B aircraft are to be acquired from the US to serve as ship planes. In an apparent acknowledgement of the controversy over Japan’s acquisition of an aircraft carrier, Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya stressed, “Fighter planes will not be carried on a permanent basis, but only when needed.”

“A multipurpose destroyer falls within the scope of the exclusive defense orientation principle,” he said.

But a South Korean defense official speaking on condition of anonymity said, “What they’re saying is that Japan will use [the retrofitted destroyers] as aircraft carriers if it deems it necessary.”

“In general, the NDPG includes a lot of things that go beyond the scope of an exclusive defense orientation,” the official added.

“The part about Japan acquiring over 100 new fifth-generation F-35 fighter aircraft signals their intent to gain air supremacy, which is a major concern for its neighbors.”

The Medium Term Defense Program also included the acquisition of long-range “standoff missiles,” including the JASSM fighter-launched long-range cruise missile, with a range of 900km, and long-range anti-ship missiles (LRASM).

The plan additional included the creation of a joint land and sea cyber defense unit and a maritime transportation unit to establish capabilities for “cross-domain operations.” A space unit and electromagnetic wave attack unit are also to be created. Citing the long-range missile acquisition plan and other factors, Jiji Press predicted that the distinction between the “sword” of USFJ attack functions and the “shield” of JSDF defense activities could collapse.

Japan stresses threats posed by China and N. Korea as justifications

While the NDPG is normally amended every ten years, the latest amendment under the Shinzo Abe administration comes after just five years. The Japanese government also stressed the threats posed by China and North Korea in rationalizing its increased offensive capabilities.

“Uncertainty has increased as changes in the balance of powers have accelerated and become more complex with factors such as the growth in national power for China, among others,” the NDPG said – mentioning China ahead of North Korea, in a change from five years ago.

“North Korea’s military activities are a serious and imminent threat to our country’s safety,” the guideline also said, stressing that “North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities remain essentially unchanged.”

“The Japanese government indicated in its National Defense Program Guideline that its principle of exclusive defense orientation remains unchanged, but the content goes in the opposite direction,” military critic Tetsuo Maeda told the Hankyoreh, adding that this was “exemplified by the large-scale broadening in the scope of operations.”

“Saying that its destroyers are not offensive because they do not have fighter aircraft permanently positioned on them is the kind of thing that would only convince an absolute novice,” Maeda said.

“Even the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier does not carry fighter planes while it is docked at Yokosuka. For half a year, it has not carried fighter aircraft,” he observed.

By Cho Ki-weon, Tokyo correspondent

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