The Japanese government convened the first meeting of an advisory panel on Monday. The panel will discuss how to strengthen comprehensive national power ahead of revising three security documents. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized the need to thoroughly strengthen comprehensive national power for Japan’s peace. She urged the panel to prepare for new ways of fighting using advanced technologies. Reinforcing the defense industry base also features prominently on the agenda.
It also includes technological, intelligence, and personnel capabilities. Takaichi described it as naturally connecting these diverse elements. The upcoming revision of three documents will determine the fate of the nation, she said. The government last revised these documents in 2022. Radical shifts in the international situation have accelerated this revision.
Moreover, the three security documents include the National Security Strategy. This strategy sets the fundamental direction of Japan’s security policy. The National Defense Strategy focuses on Self Defense Forces capabilities. The Defense Buildup Program specifies defense structures and required funding. The panel will compile its report around autumn. Consequently, the government will finalize new documents by year end.
Kenichiro Sasae, a former ambassador to the United States, chairs the 15 member panel. Members include Tetsuro Kuroe, a former administrative vice defense minister. Toshikazu Yamaguchi, president of The Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings, also serves on the panel. Additionally, economics and technology experts have joined to deepen discussions. Public private cooperation on technological development like AI is a key focus.
During the meeting, members underscored the importance of mobilizing collective resources. Some members noted that cooperation from the private sector is essential. Key government figures attended the meeting alongside Prime Minister Takaichi. These included Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara and Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also participated.
Equally important, the meeting addressed increasing security related expenditures. Defense spending forms a major part of these discussions. Under current documents, the government allocated about 43 trillion yen for defense. This five year plan started from fiscal year 2023. The goal aims to boost security spending to 2 percent of GDP. The panel is a reorganization of a 2022 advisory body. That earlier body considered defense capabilities as national power. The government will implement priority issues through effective resource allocation. This approach ensures practical application of the panel’s recommendations.
