CHANGES IN THE SECURITY AND DEFENСE POLICY OF JAPAN IN 2022–2023: ANALYSIS OF CONTENT AND FACTORS

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to analyse the changes taking place in Japan’s na- tional security and defence policy, to find out their causes and forecast possible consequences. The research methodology is based on institutional analysis. The complex of actions, decisions, and positions of Japanese government institutions regarding the security and defence of the state under the conditions of growing tension in the Indo-Pacific region is studied. Forms of cooperation between Ja- pan in the fields of security and defence with partner states, primarily within the G7 and various alliances, dialogues (AUKUS, QUAD, etc.) are clarified. Reac- tions to the change in Japan’s security and defence policy in different states, first of all, the authoritarian neighbouring states (China, North Korea, Russia) are studied. Japanese policy is characterized as pre-emptive actions. The proactive character of Japanese policy is emphasized, which becomes a tool for protecting sovereignty and integrity from potential aggressor states. It is stated that the re- cent strategic changes in Japan are not only the result of the emergence of new security challenges in 2022, but are the result of the reforms initiated by Prime Minister S. Abe starting in 2006. It is noted that currently all reforms are exclu- sively defensive in nature. Japan’s review of key documents related to security and defence, change of emphasis in foreign policy, significant increase in de- fence spending, intensification of cooperation primarily with the G7 states, etc., are aimed at strengthening the ability to counter the latest security challenges. It is argued that the changes in Japanese policy, although precipitated by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, were initiated in response to a much broader set of problems originating not only from Russia, but also from China and North Korea.