In December 2022, Japan revised its National Security Strategy, which was adopted for the first time in the country's history in 2013.. What was the biggest change in the updated document was explained by Sergey Korsunsky in his article for ZN. UA \! "

“The biggest change in the country’s strategic course was the official acquisition by Japan of the ability to deliver preventive strikes against enemy bases and command posts.. According to updated strategic documents, notably the National Defense Strategy, missile attacks against Japan "

It is assumed that in order to ensure the possibility of delivering preventive strikes, Japan will expand the range of its Type-12 missiles (currently up to 200 km) within five years, as well as acquire American Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of about 1600 kilometers.. At the same time, Japan's National Security Strategy does not clearly define what particular grounds can be considered sufficient to make a decision to launch a preemptive strike..

“It is stated that they will be determined “in the light of individual and specific circumstances”. Commenting on this element of the Strategy, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that the country's purely defense-oriented policy would remain in place..

At the same time, the government will consider a pre-emptive strike capability constitutional if three conditions for the use of force are met:.

an armed attack has already occurred or is imminent;

there is no other way to stop the offensive;

the use of force is limited to the necessary minimum.

“An important point is that counterstrike capabilities should be part of a broader international cooperation that includes the inclusion of Japan in the Allied integrated air and missile defense system, which will “fundamentally enhance” the ability to detect, track and intercept enemy air targets,” –.

In this regard, the alliance with the United States is determined to be fundamental to the security of Japan..

The strategy involves the creation of a "

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Recall, Japan announced the largest military buildup since World War II under a plan worth $320 billion.. It provides for the purchase of missiles capable of striking China, as well as preparing the country for a prolonged conflict, as regional tensions and Russia's invasion of Ukraine fuel fears of war.. A massive five-year plan, once unthinkable for a pacifist Japan, will make it the world's third-largest defense spending nation behind the United States and China..