by W.R. Hothershall
With the backdrop of heightening inter-imperialist tensions, exemplified by the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan has come out with plans for the speedy re-militarization of Japan. Such a move builds on the 2014 revision of Japan’s “pacifist” Constitution, which permitted Japan “to allow its military to help defend [its] allies.”[1] The plans include the doubling of military spending ($315 billion) by 2028, making this 2% of Japan’s total GDP. Such a figure would see Japan become the world’s third-largest military spender behind only the U.S. and China.[2] Such a spending increase is projected to be funded by a tax hike on Japanese citizens that has yet to be decided upon or implemented.[3] Japan has quietly been acquiring military assets that it has not had since the end of World War II, such as light aircraft carriers and a marine brigade.[4]
The move is indicative of the growing tensions between the two camps of imperialist powers, represented primarily by China and the U.S. The announcement of this re-militarization plan was condemned by China as expected, and applauded by the U.S., who is eager to sell nearly $50 billion worth of Tomahawk cruise missiles (currently only deployed by the U.S. and U.K.) to Japan.[5] [6] These missiles are reportedly being selected for the ability to hit the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPPK) and China as potential targets.[7]
With each camp fearful of losing any hegemonic influence in the Pacific region, heightened military activities and spending have become the norm. Earlier this year, South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol suggested the country develop its own nuclear weapons.[8] Meanwhile, the DPRK has been supplying Russia with artillery shells in return for oil to support Russia’s efforts in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.[9]
The impact of the Russo-Ukrainian War on the Japanese public’s stance on re-militarization can be seen in recent polls of Japanese adults conducted by Nikkei Research. A 2020 poll showed 41% of respondents favoring an expansion of the U.S.-Japanese alliance, with 53% opposed. In a poll conducted after the beginning of the War, the results jumped to 49% and 46%, respectively.[10] Japan itself has recently supplied Ukraine with military weapons such as mine-detectors, as well as over $5 billion in “humanitarian aid.”[11] [12]
In outlining the ongoing impact of the war, Japan’s recently signed National Security Strategy (NSS) mentions that “[a] similar situation [like the Russo-Ukrainian War] may arise in the future in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in East Asia.”[13] The document describes China as “the greatest strategic challenge,” and also speaks of making the U.S.-Japanese alliance the “cornerstone” of Japanese “security.”[14] [15]
In 1915, V.I. Lenin correctly stated that “war cannot be abolished unless classes are abolished and Socialism is created.” [16] Thus, it should be no surprise that a capitalist country with a supposedly “pacifist” constitution has now come to set its sights on becoming a top-three global imperialist superpower by the close of this decade. The ongoing re-militarization of Japan is yet another step in the escalating tensions between the aforementioned imperialist blocs, which can only be effectively combated by revolutionary working-class organization and resistance. As the inter-imperialist crisis continues to deepen, Communists must be at the forefront of opposing the continued arming of imperialist forces, as well as proposing a revolutionary way out of this dangerous crisis.
[1] Kaplan, Fred. “Why Japan and South Korea Are Arming Up.” Slate Magazine. Slate, January 31, 2023. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/01/japan-south-korea-remilitarization-biden-russia-ukraine.html.
[2] Salmon, Andrew. “Japan Plans to Remilitarize at Lightning Speed.” Asia Times. Asia Times, December 19, 2022. https://asiatimes.com/2022/12/japan-plans-to-remilitarize-at-lightning-speed/.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Kaplan, Fred. “Why Japan and South Korea Are Arming Up.” Slate Magazine. Slate, January 31, 2023. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/01/japan-south-korea-remilitarization-biden-russia-ukraine.html.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Rajagopalan, Rajeswari Pillai. “Is South Korea Considering Nuclear Weapons?.” The Diplomat, January 23, 2023. https://thediplomat.com/2023/01/is-south-korea-considering-nuclear-weapons/.
[9] Kaplan, Fred. “Why Japan and South Korea Are Arming Up.” Slate Magazine. Slate, January 31, 2023. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/01/japan-south-korea-remilitarization-biden-russia-ukraine.html.
[10] Okuyama, Miki. “More Japanese Want Bigger Role in U.S. Security Alliance: Poll.” Nikkei Asia. Nikkei Asia, January 24, 2023. https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/More-Japanese-want-bigger-role-in-U.S.-security-alliance-poll.
[11] Kaplan, Fred. “Why Japan and South Korea Are Arming Up.” Slate Magazine. Slate, January 31, 2023. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/01/japan-south-korea-remilitarization-biden-russia-ukraine.html.
[12] Coleman, Theara. “Japan Pledges an Additional $5.5 Billion in Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine.” Yahoo! News. Yahoo!, February 21, 2023. https://news.yahoo.com/japan-pledges-additional-5-5-221717539.html.
[13] Kaplan, Fred. “Why Japan and South Korea Are Arming Up.” Slate Magazine. Slate, January 31, 2023. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/01/japan-south-korea-remilitarization-biden-russia-ukraine.html.
[14] Pavey, Andy. “Heightened Sense of Crisis: China & Taiwan in Japan’s New National Security Strategy.” Stimson Center, March 1, 2023. https://www.stimson.org/2023/heightened-sense-of-crisis-china-and-taiwan-in-japans-new-national-security-strategy/.
[15] Kaplan, Fred. “Why Japan and South Korea Are Arming Up.” Slate Magazine. Slate, January 31, 2023. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/01/japan-south-korea-remilitarization-biden-russia-ukraine.html.
[16] Lenin, V.I. “Socialism and War: The Attitude of the Russian Social-Democratic Labor Party Towards the War.” marxists.org, 1915. https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1915/s-w/ch01.htm.