Ldp Proposal Calls For Japan To Have 'counterattack Capability'
Japan's main ruling party has proposed that the country should acquire what it calls a "counterattack capability" and to secure a larger budget to boost its defense capabilities.
The Liberal Democratic Party's Research Commission on Security compiled on Thursday the proposal to the government. Japan plans to revise its National Security Strategy and other defense documents before the year-end.
The proposal says the country should have the capability to hit back at enemy bases and others in response to potential missile attacks. Such counterattacks will not be limited to military bases, but also include command and control systems.
The proposal advises the government to use the term "counterattack capability" instead of the initially-used "enemy base strike capability" to avoid misinterpretation that Japan may conduct a pre-emptive strike.
It also calls for Japan's defense budget to be raised to levels that are necessary for the country to drastically strengthen its defense capabilities within five years.
The commission discussed the budget while keeping in mind the defense spending target of at least 2 percent of GDP for NATO nations.
Discussions between the government and the ruling coalition parties toward coordination on defense issues, including the proposal, will go into full swing after the Upper House election scheduled for the summer.
The junior coalition partner Komeito has shown reluctance in immediately raising the defense budget. The party says it's also important to spend on social security, for which there is a huge need, and on education.