JAPAN Forward
Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks in an exclusive interview with The Sankei Shimbun. December 19, (©Sankei by Takumi Kamoshida).
On December 19, former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sat down for an exclusive interview with The Sankei Shimbun. That date marked exactly two years since his Cabinet’s approval of the National Security Strategy and other key defense documents.
During the interview, Kishida referred to China‘s hegemonic actions in the East and South China Seas and North Korea‘s nuclear and missile developments. He spoke about how they influenced his policy on defense. “As we face the need to reconsider Japan’s security, I made the decision to fundamentally strengthen our defense capabilities,” he explained. This marked a major shift in Japan’s postwar security policy.
Kishida also discussed the inauguration of the second Donald Trump administration next January. “Discussions on security between the United States and Japan have emphasized international networks and alliances with like-minded nations,” he commented. “However, the focus will likely shift from multilateral to bilateral discussions.”
“The US highly praised the revision of the Three (Security) Documents,” he added. “Moving forward, Japan will continue to engage in bilateral talks with the US. We will also clearly communicate our security policies to ensure Mr Trump understands them.”
These three strategic documents include provisions for acquiring counterstrike capabilities to target threats within enemy territories. Kishida explained, “Global conditions are changing rapidly. To respond effectively, we must consider new measures, such as counterstrike capabilities.”
Additionally, Kishida addressed the criticism he faced over his tax hike proposal to fund enhanced defense capabilities. This move earned him the label four-eyed tax hiker. “I humbly accept the criticism,” Kishida reflected. “But as a politician, I approached this with the resolve to do what must be done.”
On constitutional amendments, including explicitly recognizing the Self-Defense Forces, he stated, “Unfortunately, we are still only halfway there. However, we must not allow the discussions we’ve built up so far to regress. As a member of the Diet, I will continue striving to achieve results.”
(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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