第３３回Online workshop報告（５月１４日）

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《今回のworkshop》
Should Japan increase defense spending?
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＜Agenda＞

 Should Japan increase defense spending?

Japan’s defense budget for 2022 hits record high, and the government is aiming to double the defense budget to 2% of GDP within five years. The increase of defense spending is based on the recent changes in international affairs, such as the threat of North Korea’s ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, fast-growing China’s military power, and political discord between western countries and Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine.

   In particular, the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine shocked the world and affected people’s viewpoint of national security. International law and economic sanctions are not able to stop the Russian invasion, and the military power is ruling over Ukraine. It turned out that only military aid is an effective way to protect Ukrainian territory and citizens at this moment. Ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine are now in progress. However, the negotiations are not decided by only peaceful talks, but military power balance is a crucial factor to reach a ceasefire agreement. The Russian invasion of Ukraine showed a limit of foreign policy and EU countries changed their policy to reinforce military power.            

   Japan is surrounded by the sea and the risk of direct invasion by other countries is relatively low. However, Japan has been disputing territorial issues with several countries and peaceful talks have made almost no progress. Also, North Korea’s nuclear weapons and fast-growing China’s military power destabilize the power balance in East Asia and could bring catastrophic results in the near future. Japan is now facing a difficult situation to deal with in order to achieve a peaceful world.

<Questions>

1. Do you think you are living in a peaceful world now? Please explain the reason.

2. Should Japan increase defense spending? Why or why not?

3. How can we achieve world peace?

Please share the summary of Q.3 at the end.

<References>

Japan’s defense budget for 2022 hits record for 8th year

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/896588f23f25-japans-defense-budget-for-2022-hits-record-for-8th-year.html

Japan Ruling Party Calls for Defense Spending Boost to 2% of GDP

https://www.wsj.com/articles/japan-ruling-party-calls-for-defense-spending-boost-to-2-of-gdp-11650554786

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