[국제]Japan accelerates ‘joint training’ and ‘next generation fighter’… Conflict over ‘rising defense costs’

[앵커]

Japan is accelerating international security cooperation, such as joint training and development of fighter jets, as part of strengthening its defense capabilities.

Prime Minister Kishida intends to increase the defense budget to this end by raising taxes, but opposition within the ruling party is also making itself felt for fear of deteriorating public opinion.

Correspondent Kyung-ah Lee reports from Tokyo.

[기자]

Japan and Australia adopted a joint statement in October strengthening security cooperation to unprecedented levels.

Amid military threats from China and North Korea, the two countries reconfirmed specific details of cooperation at the 2+2 talks on foreign affairs and defense.

[하마다 야스카즈 / 일본 방위성 장관 : 새로운 안보공동선언에는 공동 훈련을 통한 종합 운용성(능력) 향상, 방위 장비 및 기술 공여, 사이버, 우주 영역과 그 외 전략적 능력에 관한 일-호주 방위 협력이 담겨 있습니다.]

Japan has also agreed to jointly develop a next-generation fighter jet with Britain and Italy, with the aim of deploying it in 2035.

For the first time since World War II, Japan, which was dependent on the United States for the Air Self-Defense Force, has entered into defense equipment cooperation with another country.

Liberal Democrat Party chairman Chung Jo Hagiuda, considered to be former Prime Minister Abe’s political successor, visited Taiwan and stressed support and cooperation.

[하기우다 고이치 / 일본 자민당 정조회장 : 타이완은 기본적 가치관을 공유하고 긴밀한 경제 관계와 인적 교류를 갖고 있는 매우 중요한 파트너이며 소중한 친구입니다.]

International cooperation is accelerating amid the security crisis, but defense funding remains controversial in Japan.

Prime Minister Kishida stressed that to raise defense spending to 2% of GDP in five years, a tax hike along with public spending reform is inevitable.

The debt/GDP ratio is already the highest in the world, and it is also negative with regard to the issuance of government bonds.

[기시다 후미오 / 일본 총리 : 지금의 평화롭고 윤택한 생활을 지키기 위해 또 우리 세대가 미래 세대에 대한 책임을 다하기 위해 국민 여러분의 협력을 얻고자 합니다.]

However, in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), there is considerable resistance, especially from conservatives, that public opinion will deteriorate if the prime minister formalizes a tax hike amid economic woes.

This is because national local elections are ahead in April next year.

As early as the 16th, the Japanese government will define a national security strategy that includes possessing counterattack capabilities.

Attention is turning to whether the disagreement over the related defense budget will be resolved this year.

I’m YTN Kyungah Lee from Tokyo.

YTN Lee Kyung-ah

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