Koizumi Calls for 'Taboo-Free' Debate on Japan's Defense Future

このページを日本語で読む

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on June 18 that no decision has been made on dispatching Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to the Strait of Hormuz.

"We must closely monitor whether these positive developments continue. At this point, no deployment has been decided," Koizumi said in an interview with The Sankei Shimbun.

He added that even after the ceasefire agreement, Japan needs to carefully assess the situation, including maintaining communication with both Washington and Tehran and determining whether threats in the region have genuinely diminished.

A joint statement issued by Britain, France, Germany and Italy following the June 15 Iran-US ceasefire agreement said the four countries would play a role in ensuring maritime security, including mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz. Japan has also expressed its willingness to participate.

Koizumi emphasized that "there is no doubt that ensuring free and safe navigation [through the Strait of Hormuz] is in Japan's national interest," but stressed that "we will never become so eager to deploy personnel that we neglect the safety of SDF members."

Education and Information Warfare

He also commented on remarks made by Constitutional Democratic Party lawmaker Chikage Koga during a Diet committee session on June 15. Koga suggested that children who join the SDF often come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

"How has the existence of the Self-Defense Forces been taught in schools?" Koizumi asked. "Perhaps it is time to take a serious look at what is happening in the education system."

Koizumi also addressed a controversy at Nagoya University, where a planned SDF exhibition booth was canceled during the university's school festival.

Referring to a post he made on X on June 16 criticizing the decision, Koizumi said, "They would not even allow displays introducing disaster-relief operations."

Explaining why he has become more outspoken on social media, he said, "In an age when social media is deeply embedded in society, remaining silent can allow falsehoods to be accepted as truth."

With China in mind, he also highlighted the importance of countering cognitive warfare and other forms of information-based influence operations.

Discussions Without Taboos

A policy proposal compiled by the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin) on June 17 called for the rapid introduction of nuclear-powered submarines as part of the government's planned revision of Japan's three key national security documents by the end of the year.

Koizumi said, "We need discussions without taboos. There is no question that nuclear power is one of the options when considering submarine propulsion systems."

At the same time, he stressed that no decision had been made, saying, "We must objectively determine what will best enhance Japan's defense capabilities."

Within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, efforts to create or reorganize policy groups have recently gained momentum.

Asked whether he intends to establish his own group, Koizumi said that members who supported him in the party leadership election have told him that, for now, he should focus on his duties as defense minister.

"I intend to do exactly that," he said.