Japan PM says weighing ‘all options’ amid China, North Korea threats

At his first troop review on Saturday, Fumio Kishida vowed to strengthen the country’s military and consider acquiring so-called enemy base strike capability

Opponents of such a move say it violates Japan’s war-renouncing constitution. Kishida vowed ‘calm and realistic’ discussions on the matter

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Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:15pm, 27 Nov 2021

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday renewed his pledge to consider “all options”, including acquiring enemy base strike capability, and vowed to create a stronger Self-Defence Force to protect the country amid growing threats from China and North Korea.

At his first troop review as prime minister, Kishida said the security situation around Japan is rapidly changing and that “the reality is severer than ever”, with North Korea continuing to test-fire ballistic missiles while advancing its capability, and China pursuing a military build-up and increasingly assertive activity in the region.

“I will consider all options, including possessing so-called enemy base strike capability, to pursue strengthening of defence power that is necessary,” Kishida said in an address to hundreds of Ground Self-Defence Force members in olive-coloured helmets and uniforms.

Kishida, who took office in October, served as top commander for the first time at Saturday’s Self-Defence Force troop review held at the main army base Camp Asaka, north of Tokyo. About 800 troops gathered for the inspection, according to the Defence Ministry.

“The security environment surrounding Japan has been rapidly changing at an unprecedented speed. Things that used to happen only in science-fiction novels are today’s reality,” Kishida said. He said his government will lead “calm and realistic” discussions to determine what is needed to protect people’s lives and gain their understanding.

The possibility of possessing so-called enemy base strike capability has been a divisive issue because opponents say it violates Japan’s war-renouncing constitution.