Japan has demonstrated a desire to significantly strengthen its self-defense forces to balance China's increased military capabilities. Rumors have emerged that it is ready to renounce its status as a non-nuclear power.

The column is led by Nikolay Zubov

Satoshi Morimoto, who was appointed the country's new defense minister in June, expressed his idea of what Japan's self-defense forces should be in a situation where China is building up its military potential in the region in an interview with New York's The Wall Street Journal.

“Japan has 6,800 islands, its territory extends over 3,300 km, we need to strengthen our military presence in the southwest to ensure the proper level of our capabilities... We must ensure the absolute protection of our sovereign rights, and this, of course, applies to the Senkaku Islands.” “,” the minister noted, referring to the maritime border with China and the uninhabited islands controlled by Japan, which are claimed by China and Taiwan in addition to Japan.

Morimoto is considered one of the most active supporters of expanding Japan's military presence in the region and the world. He never hid his views. In 2003, Morimoto was one of the most vocal supporters of sending Japanese troops to Iraq. In addition, he repeatedly accused China of aggressive policies, so his appointment to the post of defense minister in Beijing was received without any enthusiasm.

With even less pleasure, presumably, China is following the movements of the commander of the Self-Defense Forces, General Shigeru Iwasaki, who recently made a historic visit to the Philippines (this was the first visit of a Japanese military leader of this rank since World War II), and last week visited Moscow , where the parties discussed bilateral military cooperation and highly appreciated its level. Finally, last week, Japan and South Korea signed the first military agreement in the modern history of the two countries, “On the Security of Military Information,” which will allow them to exchange intelligence information.

Such a seemingly routine episode as the introduction of amendments and additions to the Basic Law on Nuclear Energy of Japan did not go unnoticed in the region. It included an article that, in particular, stated that nuclear energy “is used to protect human life and property, protect the environment and to guarantee the security of the country.” Japanese authorities, however, claim that Japan does not intend to abandon the principle of not possessing, producing or using nuclear weapons, but many experts believed that such wording of the law opens up the possibility of using nuclear energy for military purposes if the need or desire arises. .

The Japanese army is the strongest