Japan's Military Buildup

Japan has approved a new national security strategy in what is set to be the country's biggest military buildup since World War II. The $320 billion five-year shake-up of its security strategy will see Japan ramp up its security expenditure from one percent of GDP to two percent of GDP by 2027, bringing it in line with the NATO standard. The big hike in spending will be financed by an increase in corporation taxes, tobacco taxes, and more, and according to Reuters, it will make Japan the world's third-biggest military spender after the United States and China based on current budgets. Given its actions in World War II and its defeat at the hands of the Allied forces, Japan has operated on a strictly self-defense-only post-war principle and has self-defense forces rather than armed forces. Japan's postwar governments have largely prioritized economic growth while relying on American forces stationed in the country for security. However, with China, North Korea, and Russia located not too far from Japan, the new security strategy states that "Japan faces the severest and most complicated national security environment since the end of the war."

Meanwhile, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shaken the foundations of the international order, and Japan says that the strategic challenges posed by China are "the biggest [Japan] has ever faced." It is with these things in mind that Japan is overhauling six decades of post-war security policy. So, what exactly is Japan planning on doing?

One of the biggest departures from Japan's pacifist stance is its plan to acquire what it calls "counter-strike capabilities," which would give Japan the ability to strike other nations that may threaten its safety and security. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that Japan will maintain its strict self-defense posture, but that counter-strike capability is critical for deterring an attack. Japan will reportedly buy up to 500 American-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have a range of over 1,200 kilometers, and will also triple the number of military units equipped with ballistic missile interception capabilities. Japan will also increase its military presence in its southernmost islands, recognize its self-defense forces under a newly appointed permanent joint command, and stockpile ammunition, spare parts, and more. Given Japan's military history and atrocities in World War II, military buildup has long been a difficult and sensitive issue in the country and further afield. The US has welcomed Japan's announcement; however, the acquisition of counter-strike capabilities and the strengthening of rhetoric around China are sure to be met with anger from Beijing.

Elon Musk bans journalists

Elon Musk is still facing controversy over his moderation plans for Twitter after at least seven prominent journalists were suspended from the platform yesterday, including Ryan Mack of the New York Times, Donnie O'Sullivan of CNN, and Drew Hartwell of the Washington Post. These journalists appeared to have been suspended after tweeting about Elonjet, a Twitter account set up by a 20-year-old student that used publicly available information to tweet about where Musk's private jet flew to and from. Musk has long had issues with the ElonJet account, which was eventually removed this week when Twitter announced a new policy to prevent users from sharing people's live location data. Musk referenced an incident involving his son and a "crazy stalker" and said that he was taking legal action against the student who set up the Elonjet account, although it is unclear how the incident is related to the tracking of his private jet. The New York Times called the suspension of the journalists "questionable" and "unfortunate," while CNN journalist Donie O'Sullivan said the move was significant for the potentially chilling impact it could have on journalists trying to cover Musk and his companies.

Istanbul's Mayor Has Been Sentenced

The mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty in a Turkish court of calling members of the country's Supreme Election Council fools in a press release more than three years ago. As a result, Imamoglu has been handed a two-year and seven-month prison sentence and is also banned from politics, leading some to suggest that the punishment is politically motivated and a way for President Erdogan to sideline a potential rival. In June 2023, Turkey will go to the polls to elect their next president, and in preparation for this, it seems that the ruling AKP party is cracking down on members of their rival CHP party, with other key figures also receiving jail sentences.

Qatar's influence on the EU

A lot has happened since the news broke a few days ago of an alleged Qatari influence campaign in the European Parliament. Greek MEP Eva Kylie, who is perhaps the most high-profile individual at the center of the scandal, was stripped of her position as a vice president of the parliament after she was arrested and charged with corruption. Kylie's partner, Francesco Georgie, who has also been arrested and charged, has reportedly admitted to Belgian authorities that he took bribes from Qatar and Morocco while insisting that his partner is innocent. As the scandal widens, it has raised questions about the legislature as a whole. In response, the body's president, Roberta Metzola, has announced planned reforms that include banning unofficial friendship groups with other countries, greater protections for whistleblowers, a review of the MEP's code of conduct, and more.

sources:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/16/japan-defense-strategy-missiles/
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/16/asia/japan-defense-strategy-intl-hnk-ml
https://www.oe-mag.co.uk/eva-kylie-voted-for-visa-liberalization-with-qatar/
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/15/why-has-a-turkish-court-given-istanbul-mayor-a-prison-term-explainer
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/17/business/elon-musk-twitter-ban-reverse-conditions/index.html