Yang Danzhi holds a Ph.D. from the Institute of Asia-Pacific and Global Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and is a senior researcher at the National Security Institute of Renmin University of China. According to Japan's "Yomiuri Shimbun" report on August 21, the Japan

Yang Danzhi, Ph.D., Institute of Asia-Pacific and Global Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, senior researcher at the Institute of National Security, Renmin University of China

According to Japan's " Yomiuri Shimbun " report on August 21, the Japanese government is considering installing more than 1,000 long-range cruise missiles. missile. The deployment will be centered on the southwest islands (including the small islands in the southwest waters near Taiwan) to Kyushu . At present, neither the Ministry of Defense nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has commented on the authenticity of this report.

But judging from various signs, the "Yomiuri Shimbun" report is not groundless. The report quoted multiple Japanese government officials as saying that these more than 1,000 long-range missiles will be improved from the existing Type 12 shore-based anti-ship missiles of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. This model missile is manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries . The current maximum effective range is 200 kilometers. After improvement, the effective range of the missile can be extended to 1,000 kilometers, capable of striking North Korea and the eastern coastal areas of China. Japan also plans to improve the missile from shore-based launch to launch from surface ships and fighter jets.

In addition, Japanese government officials also said that the Japanese government plans to carry cruise missile that can attack ground targets on the newly built Aegis ship . The new ship is designed to ensure "counterattack capabilities" such as destroying enemy missile launch bases. Japan currently has eight Aegis ships. The two latest Aegis ships will be deployed in the Sea of ​​Japan to guard against North Korean missile threats.

There is information that as early as 1956, Japan's strategic circles began to discuss the deployment of long-range missiles. The Japanese government even ruled that it has the legal right to launch missile countermeasures against enemy countries that attack Japan. However, the main reason why Japan has not deployed long-range missiles is that after World War II, Japan's national defense policy has always been "defense only" because it is inevitable to develop and deploy weapons that can attack foreign territorial targets, such as long-range cruise missiles. The country will encounter resistance at home and abroad, especially the restrictions of the " Peaceful Constitution ".

In fact, Japan plans to deploy more than 1,000 long-range cruise missiles this time. It is not only to narrow the "gap" with China in terms of missiles, as Japan said, but more importantly, it is a step forward in breaking through the restrictions of the "Peace Constitution" Substantial pace.

The Fumio Kishida government will fundamentally strengthen Japan's defense and deterrence capabilities as one of its most important issues. Japan's new Defense Minister Hamada Yasuichi pointed out at the inauguration ceremony on August 12 that in order to defend Japan from highly complex security risks, the quality and quantity of defense capabilities must be strengthened. Not long ago, the new Japanese government held the first four-ministers meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) at the Prime Minister's Residence after the reorganized cabinet came to power, to discuss China's military exercises around Taiwan.

It can be seen from Japan's " Defense White Paper " newly published in 2022 and multiple official statements issued by Japan that Japan uses China's military development and recent military activities as excuses to increase its military power, which has caused a stir, including in Japan. The international community, including the United States, has strong security concerns.

At present, Fumio Kishida has publicly stated that if he wants to significantly increase defense spending, it is likely to exceed 1% of Japan's GDP . " Asahi Shimbun " also pointed out that the Japanese Ministry of Defense may also require approval of a list of projects, including the development costs of upgrading long-range cruise missiles.

Generally speaking, since the reorganization of the Kishida cabinet, he has once again hyped up the "China threat theory" to build public opinion, including making rumors about the deployment of long-range cruise missiles and high-profile intervention in the Taiwan issue. This is a manifestation of his desire to accelerate Japan's military development into a great power. The deployment of long-range missiles is likely to become an important way for Japan to build itself into a military power, and it will also send a dangerous signal to the world. In the future, Japan may step by step break through the restrictions imposed by the international community on Japan's military development since World War II. Japan's above-mentioned actions may trigger a new round of arms race in Northeast Asia and lead to continued tension in regional security. (Editors in charge: Hua Zhang, An Ran, Yu Xin)