Why Japan's Military is Gladly Getting Ready for War

Japan’s new defense strategy and their already existing massive economic influence in Southeast Asia will make them the west's secret weapon against communist authoritarian China. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently unveiled on December 16th 2022 his country's new 5 year $320 billion dollar defense plan that will acquire 500 US made tomahawk cruise missiles that can strike Chinese territory for the first time. It will effectively double the size of Japan's military budget and make them the world’s third-largest military spender right after the United States and China. It’s not just an increase in weapons, their publicly released historic 2022 National Defense outlines sound justifications and legal arguments for this rearmanet as well as a change in their defense posture to deter aggression.

Oh no! Sound the alarms! The Japanese empire has woken up from its slumber and they’re getting ready to take over the world again! ” Obviously that’s absolutely ridiculous but tell that to North Korea, Russia and China who all took turns coming out to publicly denounce Japan’s new military plan as “dangerous” and alluding to Japan's history as an expansionist empire. Chinese Communist Party tabloid Global Times said “Japan has a history of straying into militarism and committing aggression and crimes against humanity, which has brought disaster to the region and the world and is now deviating from the track of post-war peaceful development. Apparently it’s only okay for China to increase defense spending and no one else. Yes Even 80 years after the last world war it’s hard for some people to forget. *people don’t forget meme*

In most modern discussions about great power politics we completely overlook Japan but I think a closer analysis will show you that this great nation holds the keys to keeping China in check. Many people do not understand just how much economic influence and soft power Japan projects despite having a somewhat self imposed limited military. Even though China’s GDP surpassed Japan’s in 2010. Japan is still the largest sponsor of infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia. Yes, that's even bigger than China’s massive efforts to expand with their Belt and Road Initiative throughout the region. As of 2021 Japan's investments in projects in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam is $259 billion compared to China’s $157 billion. This means Japanese banks lend more to Southeast Asia's five largest economies than the United States, UK and France combined. Doesn’t explain why my loan requests to Japanese banks are always denied but fair enough. Japan's massive construction projects across Asia give them tremendous credibility, respect, and influence in foreign policy decisions in the region. This makes Japan a closer rival to China than the US in this regard. Tokyo is the undisputed heavyweight champ of infrastructure investments in South East Asia even though China gets all the news reports about their belt and road initiative.

These projects include a subway system for Manila and a new East-west southern economic corridor that will link up Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar to promote free trade. These are some of the projects Japan is changing the world with. So how does Japan compete against China in this field? They offer low interest rates of around .25% for 30 year loans which is way better than the 4% interest rates on China’s projects which have been criticized for debt trapping developing countries.

Task & Purpose is a military news and culture oriented channel. We want to foster discussion about the defense industry.

#JAPAN #WAR #EXPLORE

[just_a_turtle_chad]

Having Japan on your side is so important. They're the only country to have defeated a giant lizard, a three headed monster from outer space, a giant worm and a giant flying tortoise. What other country can boast such feats.

[colinmarshall]

You know we're in strange times when we're celebrating Germany and Japan massively increasing defense spending

[kythian]

While serving in the U.S. Army, I participated in a joint training exercise alongside the JSDF. The Japanese I served with were all very gracious and professional. I would happily serve alongside them again.

[keurikeuri]

Here in the Philippines, it's not just the current subway or other infrastructure development that Japan had been a great help, there are also government and community support. I remember when I was a kid at the 90s, I remember from my mother who works in the government I always hear the initials JICA and how it helped their offices through supplies and trainings. If you dig deeper on what Japan did to help the Philippines through JICA you can find so much things and unlike China it is rarely being publicly announced. So it is not just now that Japan had made a good impression to the Philippines, it's been decades already and we are always thankful for that.

[utbb]

A couple of years ago, countries in Scandinavia and the Baltic's started increasing their military by a rather substantial amount, 20 to 30%. Sweden started offering "legacy classes", classes on fishing, hunting, bushcraft, gardening, canning, etc. I thought that was odd, then ruzzia invaded Ukraine and it made sense. They knew something was up. Now it looks like Japan knows they need to get prepared.

[everalbertbuno]

2 things you can never underestimate, Japan’s fighting spirit and German engineering.

[peterpayne]

I live in Japan and speak Japanese, I’d like to see how excellent your channel is giving really good news on topics that would otherwise not be understood by many. Great work!

[TwinTurboOnly]

Japan and Germany are two of the best allies any country could ever ask for. I have much respect for each country, their culture, their technology and their nationalistic pride. Thank you to all of you that contribute. As an American I am beyond grateful.

[josephcuevas]

Japanese Military Procurement List

1. Mobile suits
2. Variable fighters
3. Super Dimensional Fortress Macross
4. Space Battleship Yamato

[robwalsh]

Finding a loophole to make a helicopter carrier that's technically a destroyer was a stroke of genius

[rubenramirez]

Absolutely Love JAPAN, and the Japanese people. I'm an American, and I know it is in my best interest to never be an enemy of the Japanese. The definition of warrior.... Japanese. That's not why I wish to always be on Japan's good side though (but it's a damn good one) they are kind, respectful, and the most wonderful people to have friendly relations with.

[loraroark]

Good for Japan...I had no idea they were so involved in construction projects around the world....we need to hear more of this...way more....great counter to China ...accentuate the positive and Japan is a positive for the world!

[davidglenn]

As an American, I'm proud to have Japan as an ally.

[TheMichaelStott]

Aussie Vet here: When I was deployed to East Timor in 02-03 I went to the Japanese Engineer base and they had crazy Tech. Timor was a peacekeeping mission between 1999-2007 so Japan could deploy troops such as Engineers, logistics and medical staff from 2001. Japan has previously deployed to Cambodia, Mozambique, Rwanda and the Golan Heights under peacekeeping missions so they haven't been just resting. Their military has been doing what it can under the articles much the same as what they have been doing with business and industry.

[danielbarnes]

Your channel is rapidly becoming one of my favorites, right up there with the inphographic xhannel, sandboxx news, the why files et all...

[lars]

Complete forgotten the Japanese atrocities in China in ww2

[eschdaddy]

Japanese have every right to move on from their past. It doesn’t mean they’re expanding, it means they’re preparing to defend themselves without relying on the US.

[banana_junior_]

Japanese public opinion has changed almost singularly due to North Korean behavior. In a way, Kim Jong-un has done world democracy a favor.

[murmur]

I can totally understand that the "new" Japan needs our trust because everything about Japan since WW2 has changed from what it used to be. Japan has become a model world power in the United Nations and the old "great warrior" tradition that committed all the atrocities against humanity is gone forever. The new "great warrior" Japan, is more like having a pack of great big Rottweilers as your best friends while walking around in a bad neighborhood. I am glad to have Japan and the other Pacific countries on our side. Keep up the awesome content my friend and I hope you stay healthy and happy in the future.

[og]

I am happy to have Japan instead of China or Russia as an ally!