Prime Minister Fumio Kishida touted dramatically strengthening the nation's defense capabilities under his watch at his news conference announcing that he will not run in the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election in September. 

Kishida may not be running for re-election, but a major shift in defense policy already occurred during the administration of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when Japan reinterpreted the Constitution to allow the exercise of the right of collective self-defense.

Kishida, as though steaming down the track laid by his predecessor, has taken a series of steps toward “another dimension” of Japanese security policy.

Among these is possessing the capability of attacking enemy bases and a substantial increase in defense spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product.

In addition, Japan lifted the ban on exports of lethal defense equipment to "third countries."

Such policies were also a request by the United States, which wanted to utilize its allies to play a role in strengthening its own deterrence.

Strengthening Japan-U.S. cooperation is necessary. However, the current international situation is not so simple that Japan’s security can be assured if it simply follows the United States and speeds along the rails laid by Abe.

Right now, Japan needs to strike a balance between the two. One is the Japan-U.S. alliance and the other is diplomacy toward China and Asia.

Kishida stressed the importance of “diplomacy with neighbors in Northeast Asia” at the news conference, quoting the proverb, “A close neighbor is better than a distant relative."

Japan-Korea relations have improved under the Kishida administration, largely due to the efforts of South Korean President Yun Suk-yeol as well as the backing of the United States.

But what about diplomacy with China?

Reinforcing defense capabilities is only a means of “deterrence” to prevent armed conflict. At the same time, it must be combined with diplomacy based on dialogue, or else it will lead to a clash. 

Shuttle diplomacy between the leaders of China and Japan has been suspended since Abe’s visit to Beijing in October 2018.

More than 100 Diet members visited Taiwan last year, but Diet members’ visits to Beijing remain in the single digits. Parliamentary diplomacy is tapering off.

The United States has taken a strong stance against China on the Taiwan issue, stating that it will not tolerate a change in the status quo by force.

But even the United States has simultaneously sent a message that it does not support Taiwan’s independence, as President Joe Biden said.

Why has Japan not come out and announced "disapproval of Taiwan’s independence" when Japan could become a battleground in the event of an emergency?

The candidates for the LDP presidential election should not focus solely on the Japan-U.S. alliance and the strengthening of defense capabilities but look ahead and talk about “how to face China.”

The United States, which has stubbornly defended Israel, which the United Nations has pointed out may be violating international law by invading Gaza, has become isolated in the international community and is losing its ability to persuade China and Russia of the “rule of law.”

This is not good for Japan’s national interests.

How will Japan develop its own Middle East diplomacy?

The question now is how Japan will convey its stance of compliance with international law to Asia and the world.

Another issue that requires balance is the relationship between economic and fiscal strength and defense spending.

It is necessary to debate head-on whether the purchase of U.S. cruise missile Tomahawks is really necessary for the defense of Japan, and whether it is cost-effective.

Economic strength is the source of national power. However, Japan is the only major country whose GDP has stalled.

The responsibility for this stagnation lies with politics.

It is irresponsible to put a lid on the situation and only cry loudly for increased defense spending.

Without addressing how to restore Japan’s economic and fiscal strength, there can be no discussion about its security.