As nuclear-armed Pyongyang rattles its neighbors with periodic missile launches and hostile rhetoric, Japan declared on Friday that North Korea poses a greater threat than “ever before” to its national security.
Japan’s defence ministry argued for a major increase in domestic defense spending as the globe enters “a new era of crisis” in its annual white paper, which provides an overview of the most urgent military challenges and preparations to ensure stability.
The white paper placed North Korea alongside China’s expanding military might and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as two of its top concerns.
“North Korea’s military activities pose an even more grave and imminent threat to Japan’s national security than ever before,” the document said.
“It is believed that North Korea has the ability to attack Japan with nuclear weapons fitted to ballistic missiles.”
The white paper, which Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s cabinet endorsed on Friday morning, was released as North Korea increases the frequency of its missile testing.
On Thursday, images showed Kim Jong Un showing Russia’s defense minister a tour of the nation’s most cutting-edge arsenal, including intercontinental ballistic missiles and never-before-seen military drones, were posted by North Korean state media.
One of the few countries Pyongyang maintains cordial relations with is Russia, another longtime supporter of North Korea.
Kim Jong Un has consistently backed Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, including, according to Washington, by providing rockets and missiles, which Pyongyang has denied.
The most recent of Pyongyang’s recent weapons tests took place on Monday, and they coincide with an expansion of military cooperation between Tokyo, Seoul, and Washington to fight the North’s increasing nuclear threats and China’s regional sway.
The white paper reiterated that joint military maneuvers with Russia were also of concern and that China’s military activities constituted “an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge” to Japan.
China routinely sends governmental vessels to islands that Tokyo claims as its own while also conducting navy exercises in international waters, including the Pacific, alarming Japan and other neighbors.
Given that many of the world’s most important democracies worry that China may also attempt an aggressive takeover of Taiwan, Beijing has not denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The international community is facing its greatest trial since World War II and we have entered a new era of crisis,” Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said in the document.
The white paper reiterated Tokyo’s commitment to boost its military spending and capacity.
Japan has set a ceiling on military spending at 1% of GDP for many years.
However, late last year, Kishida’s administration authorized a plan to raise defense spending to almost 11 trillion yen ($78.7 billion), or two percent of GDP, by the fiscal year 2027.
