Azernews.Az

By Alimat Aliyeva

Japan’s latest Defense White Paper is being used to justify a further expansion of the country’s military capabilities and a gradual departure from some of the restrictions imposed after World War II, according to international security analyst Kang Won-chul, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the analyst, the document effectively seeks to legitimize Tokyo’s continued military buildup. He argues that Japan is increasingly pointing to threats from North Korea and other neighboring countries to justify higher defense spending, new weapons systems and the modernization of its armed forces.

Japan has been steadily strengthening its military capabilities in recent years, transforming its Self-Defense Forces into a more advanced and flexible force. Tokyo has also expanded security cooperation with the United States and other regional partners, particularly amid growing tensions in East Asia.

The commentary argues that Japan’s long-term strategy goes beyond simply responding to immediate security threats. According to Kang, Tokyo is seeking greater military autonomy, expanding the role and capabilities of the Self-Defense Forces and reconsidering some of the principles that shaped Japan’s post-war security policy.

Critics say that, despite Tokyo’s emphasis on defense and deterrence, the buildup could contribute to an arms race and increase tensions across the Asia-Pacific region.

An interesting detail: Japan’s post-war Constitution, particularly Article 9, formally renounces war as a sovereign right and prohibits maintaining “war potential.” However, Japan has developed one of the world’s most technologically advanced military forces under the concept of self-defense.

Today, Tokyo is also placing greater emphasis on long-range strike capabilities, missile defense, space and cyber warfare — areas that would have been politically difficult to imagine in Japan’s security policy just a few decades ago.

As regional tensions continue to rise, Japan’s defense transformation could become one of the most significant changes to the security balance in East Asia.