Tokyo's growing military budget sparks opposition

Members of Japanese civil groups have strongly opposed the country's growing defense budget and the US commitment to defending Japan, even to the point of nuclear power, which neither promote peace for the Japanese people nor enhance regional security.

During interviews with China Daily on the sidelines of the International Civil Society Forum to Abolish Nuclear Weapons in Tokyo over the weekend, speakers expressed disappointment over the mentioning of the reaffirmation of the US nuclear defense commitment to Japan in a joint statement issued after Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday.

The statement underscored the US' "unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan", using its full range of capabilities, including nuclear capabilities.

"Ishiba has always been very conservative when it comes to defense and security," said Sumiko Hatakeyama, an executive committee member of the NGO Peace Boat. "He thinks nuclear policies are a very key part of the US-Japan military alliance, but it's disappointing that he emphasized 'including nuclear capabilities'."

It is difficult to say nuclear weapons bring peace, she added. "The expense of nuclear deterrence is big, especially if you look at the issue from a human perspective.

"There are so many diplomatic talks that they can have before emphasizing that 'let's consider nuclear'. What about talks with neighboring countries and more confidence-building measures?"

During his first summit with Trump, Ishiba received assurances about the strength of the security alliance but also faced an implicit request for higher defense spending. Trump's push for a larger Japanese defense budget has raised concerns among civil organizations.

While no specific figures were mentioned, experts warned that possible excessive US demands in the future could weaken Japan and strain the alliance, Kyodo News reported on Sunday.

Japan had traditionally kept its defense budget around 1 percent of GDP but decided in late 2022 to gradually increase the budget to reach 2 percent by fiscal year 2027.

'Extremely dangerous'

Kenichi Okubo, president of the Japan Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms, said Japan's stance of increasing the military budget and purchasing more US weapons is "extremely dangerous".

That is why the association opposes the government's policy and seeks to phase out the US-Japan military alliance, especially the nuclear alliance, he added.

He expressed firm rejection of the notion that strengthening the alliance and increasing military spending would enhance Japan's security.

Mitsuhiro Hayashida, Nagasaki coordinator of the Japan Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, joined many atomic bomb survivors in expressing deep concern over Japan's increasing defense spending and its shift from the exclusively defense-oriented policy.

"I do not believe that raising the defense budget will make Japan safer," he said, adding true peace comes from dialogue and trust, not threats and intimidation.

"That is why Japan's current approach, which positions China as an adversary, is concerning."