Tokyo / Beijing – Airstrikes on the enemy’s territory before an enemy attack on the country is part of Japan’s defence policy, Japan’s Minister of Defence Nobuo Kishi testified. Defence Minister Kishi stated it during a hearing in Parliament on Wednesday. Over the past few years, Japan has signalled significant changes in its defence policy with the backdrop of growing threats from China and North Korea. Defense Minister Kishi’s testimony in Parliament is part of that.  

If there is a possibility of a missile attack on Japan, the planned target could be attacked by sending fighter jets into the enemy’s airspace, clarified Japan’s Minister of Defence. ‘It would fall within the scope of self-defence,’ he said, and it is part of the country’s defence policy. At the same time, Japan will not include intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of attacking another country to join its defence forces, the Japanese Defense Minister said.  

Moreover, Japan’s Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno also confirmed Kishi’s remarks. ‘The intent is that no option will be ruled out if it falls within the scope of the constitution and international law,’ Matsuno clarified. Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had announced that Japan could use all options against the enemy. Prime Minister Kishida had even said that it would also include gaining the right capability to attack enemy bases.  

As per the Japanese constitution, the country’s defence forces have been authorized only to conduct attacks to defend. However, this policy began to change over the last decade. Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe had suggested aggressive changes to the country’s defence policy. Steps are being taken accordingly, and Japan has been steadily increasing defence spending in the past few years. Japan has initiated moves for making changes in the National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG) and the Medium-Term Defense Program (MTDP), part of its defence policy in the last month.  

Moreover, in the last few years, China and North Korea have begun aggressive movements. China has consistently sent its patrol ships and warships in the territorial waters near Japan. Besides, a submarine was also found to have transited through the waters last year. Moreover, China also conducted a patrol campaign near Japan’s territorial waters to assist with the Russian warships. On the other hand, North Korea has been making moves to increase its nuclear capability, and new tests also have been conducted in the last few months. 

Consequently, this has augmented the threat to Japan’s security. Thus, Japan is seen to play a more aggressive and assertive role. Defence Minister Kishi’s testimony in Parliament becomes a critical milestone thereof.  

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