Japanese Defense Minister Kishi in front of a drone [AFP=Yonhap News Photo]

Japan is considering adding the concept of securing "collective autonomy" as a new economic security strategy to its three key security documents, which the government aims to revise by the end of the year, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the 26th.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) explained that the concept of collective autonomy, which it intends to add to the three security documents, refers to Japan's response, in conjunction with its allies, to attempts at "weaponizing the economy" that arise from dependence on specific countries for essential resources like rare earths.

The goal is to restore supply chains, which have been heavily centered on countries like China, under Japanese leadership and to promote the establishment of an international economic order.

This move to include provisions related to economic security in the three security documents, which primarily deal with military security, is seen as a response to China's actions, such as its export ban on rare earths and dual-use items for military purposes to Japan, following a statement by then-Minister Sanae Takaichi in April suggesting intervention in the event of a Taiwan contingency.

The Japanese government believes that securing "autonomy" in social and economic activities, from the procurement of essential materials to product manufacturing and supply chain maintenance, is difficult to achieve solely through a single nation's strength and requires collective action through cooperation and division of labor with allies.

At a Security Affairs Research Council meeting held the previous day, the LDP approved its proposal and urged the government to strengthen its economic security measures by firmly establishing alliance cooperation as a means to achieve collective autonomy.

Specifically, the party emphasized deepening regional ties through the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" new strategy, which Prime Minister Kishida announced during his visit to Vietnam earlier this month, and building a free trade system by expanding the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Japan is reviewing import standards for goods that require meeting procurement criteria beyond price, such as safety and sustainability, to counter low-priced imports from countries like China, in cooperation with the European Union (EU). It is also in discussions with the United States regarding the "Agreement on Critical Minerals Trade (ATCM)" for cooperation on the supply of rare earths and other critical minerals.

Regarding the military defense aspects within the three security documents, the LDP plans to propose to the government the inclusion of "new methods of warfare" achieved through the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the revised documents, according to reports by the Nikkei Shimbun and others.

The proposal outlines measures to respond to new combat methods involving AI and UAVs, as seen in conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Specifically, the plan is to accelerate the speed of operational command by actively utilizing AI for intelligence gathering and decision-making by the Self-Defense Forces, including analyzing intelligence obtained from reconnaissance and satellites with AI, and then allowing commanders to issue operational orders based on this analysis.

An agreement was also reached on the need to promptly establish a system for simultaneously operating a large number of drones using AI.

The LDP stressed the importance of bold and rapid introduction of drones across the land, sea, and air domains, and stated that to enhance air defense capabilities, the introduction of long-range drones should be considered.

Furthermore, the proposal includes the necessity of developing a domestic production base for drones.

Through this proposal, the LDP emphasized the need to "transform defense capabilities to exhibit highly autonomous and robust abilities" and stressed the necessity of achieving a major transformation in defense capabilities within five years in terms of both defense equipment and systems.

Regarding an increase in defense spending, the party proposed securing the necessary budget to support the strengthening of defense capabilities, referencing the defense spending levels of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members, South Korea, and Australia.

The Japanese government is currently pursuing the revision of its three key security documents—the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy, and the Defense Force Development Plan—by the end of the year, with a focus on enhancing defense capabilities and increasing defense spending.

The LDP plans to submit this proposal to the government next month.