Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae again mentioned the discussion of advancing the amendment of three security-related documents on the topic of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict at a meeting of the editor-in-chief of the joint news agency on the 23rd. Previously, an anonymous high-ranking Japanese official had suggested to the Prime Minister that “Japan should possess nuclear weapons,” raising doubts at home and abroad about Japan‘s course. A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on the 24th that the move to challenge the post-war international order and threaten regional peace and stability is not in the self-interest of the Japanese people.
According to the Kyodo news agency on the 23rd, Takashi mentioned the Russo-Ukrainian conflict in her speech, declaring that “small drone attacks and other incidents are occurring in succession. Once involved in a conflict, it will become long-term. Continuous combat capabilities must be enhanced,” emphasizing that she will push for discussions on revising three security-related documents. She also said she is pursuing fiscal sustainability and hopes to increase trust at home and abroad. Regarding the 2026 budget, Takashi said she hopes it will be approved soon. According to Japanese media reports, the total budget for next year will reach 122 trillion yen (approximately 5.5 trillion yuan). Among them, the defense budget will reach 9 trillion yen, setting a new high.
“The remarks of Gao Shi and Sanae may be intended to focus on the new characteristics embodied in modern warfare under the pretext of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, to create rationality for strengthening defense power, R&D deployment of advanced weapons and equipment, and waiting for an opportunity to accelerate the introduction of destructive weapons and equipment,” said Xiang Haoyu, a specially hired researcher at the Asia-Pacific Research Institute of the China Institute of International Affairs, in an interview with the Global Times on 24.
Speaking at a routine press conference held by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on the 24th, Lin Jian said that in the short two months since Prime Minister Gao Shii took office, he has accelerated the promotion of military expansion, achieved the goal of defense costs accounting for 2% of GDP two years earlier, further relaxed arms export restrictions, pushed for the revision of the “National Security Assurance Strategy” and other “security three documents”, discussed revisions to the “nuclear-free three principles”, and hinted at the introduction of nuclear submarine, etc. “Regarding movements that challenge the post-war international order and threaten regional peace and stability, it is also not in the self-interest of the Japanese people. China will work together with all peace-loving countries to jointly respond and firmly prevent Japanese militarism from rekindling,” Lin Jian said.