News Japan's new National Security Strategy facing criticism

The group Heiwa Koso Teigen Kaigi (council on peace initiative proposals), which consists of 15 members, including nongovernmental organization affiliates and researchers, announced its vision in Tokyo on Dec. 15. It outlined a path for Japan to build peace without overly depending on military power, as an alternative to the Japanese government's three new security-related documents, including the National Security Strategy that received Cabinet approval on Dec. 16. The activists called into question the Fumio Kishida administration's plan to earmark 43 trillion yen (approximately $315 billion) for defence spending between fiscal 2023 and 2027. It stated, "Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and rising prices and the accompanying spread of poverty and inequality, why are military affairs viewed as a sacred realm? Policies for social security, health care, education, and other areas for people's lives and rights will inevitably be further compromised."

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"Military power does not create peace" were among chants that rang out from the morning in Tokyo's Nagatacho district, as were those claiming the move goes against Article 9 of Japan's Constitution, which renounces war. Documents outlining the policy changes also describe China as Japan's "greatest strategic challenge," drawing a backlash from its East Asian neighbour, which suffered from Japanese aggression before and during World War II. [...] "Casual workers are suffering because they can't get jobs," said documentary writer Satoshi Kamata, 84, speaking to a crowd of around a hundred people gathered in the evening following the Cabinet's approval of the decision.

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