Japan Must Bolster Defenses to Deter Aggression, Top Military Officer Says
Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, chief of staff of the Joint Staff of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF), believes Japan must strengthen its defense capabilities and enhance the deterrence of the Japan-U.S. security alliance to prevent military aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.
Yoshida emphasizes the importance of deterrence, citing the Russia-Ukraine war as a cautionary tale. He believes that Ukraine's failure to deter Russia's aggression stemmed from Moscow's underestimation of its capabilities. To avoid a similar situation in the Indo-Pacific, Yoshida argues that Japan must strengthen its own defenses and increase U.S. trust in the country.
Yoshida also highlights the recent airspace breach by a Chinese military aircraft as a violation of Japan's sovereignty. He emphasizes the need to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and expresses concern about China's attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas.
Yoshida emphasizes the importance of international cooperation, particularly with allies and like-minded countries that share the goal of maintaining a rules-based international order. He also stresses the need for Japan to intensify security cooperation with countries concerned about China-Russia collaboration, such as NATO members.
Yoshida acknowledges the strategic challenge of keeping the United States committed to the Indo-Pacific region in the face of an increasingly assertive China. He highlights the strong relationship between the SDF and the U.S. military and their joint exercises. He also addresses concerns about the independence of Japan's command and control authority over the SDF in an emergency, expressing confidence in its guarantee.
Yoshida addresses the issue of SDF officers visiting Yasukuni Shrine, stating that while individual visits are permissible, caution is necessary to avoid actions that could cause misunderstandings. He also acknowledges the recent scandals involving SDF members and emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards of discipline.
Yoshida recognizes the SDF's manpower shortage as a serious issue and outlines plans to address it. These plans include utilizing civilian personnel and reserve SDF members, focusing limited manpower on duties requiring regular members, and increasing the number of female members by creating a more comfortable work environment.
Yoshida's interview provides valuable insights into the current security environment and the SDF's plans to address the challenges it faces. His emphasis on deterrence, international cooperation, and addressing internal issues demonstrates the SDF's commitment to safeguarding Japan's security and contributing to regional stability.