Japan increases defence spending as criticism grows over Takaichi's Taiwan remarks
發佈日期: 2025-12-01 00:01
TVB News
The Defense Ministry of Japan has announced extra supplementary budget to enhance military capabilities by procuring surface-to-air missiles.
Meanwhile, Chinese ambassador to Japan, Wu Jianghao, requested the Japanese leader to immediately retract her wrongful remarks regarding Taiwan and said Japan must live up to its political commitments.
Tokyo has greenlighted a supplementary budget proposal that will cover various items of a huge economic package approved a week ago.
According to Kyodo News, the breakdown of the budget includes 1.1 trillion yen in additional defence spending that exceeds 2 percent of Japan's GDP.
The defence ministry says it is working to procure the improved Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Guided Missile capable of intercepting aircrafts and cruise missiles.
Efforts will be made to station the Self-Defence Forces' mobile surveillance radar troop on the southwest Kitadaitojima island in Okinawa Prefecture for facility construction.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's early remarks linking their possible military interference with a Taiwan contingency triggered a diplomatic spat with Beijing that impacted other sectors.
It is reported that Chinese airliners have so far cut more than 900 flights between the two countries in December.
The noticeable drop in Chinese travellers and related consumption is sending jitters to those rely on tourism.
While a shop staff in Tokyo feared less operation revenue, some business operators in Naha, Okinawa expressed concerns about broader impacts, saying they hope the situation will get better.
In an article published on People's Daily on Sunday, Ambassador Wu Jianghao said a serving Japanese leader has made blatant, provocative comments on the Taiwan question, beating the drums of war.
Wu said Taiwan has been an inseparable part of China's territory and the sound development of China-Japan ties can only be built on a solid political foundation.
The PLA Daily also posted an article criticising Japan's attempt to gloss over the issue.
The newspaper affiliated with the Chinese People's Liberation Army said in the face of factual truth and international justice, the government of Japan tried to downplay Takaichi's remarks with an ambiguous and evasive response.
The article warned if Tokyo dared to militarily step in the situation in the Strait, it would constitute an aggression.
