Canada backs Japan's move to attain counterstrike capabilities

ANKARA (AA) – Canada backed Japan's move to attain counterstrike capabilities and both countries agreed to continue strict sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, who met with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau in Ottawa, explained his country’s new strategy to acquire counterstrike capabilities and increase the defense budget.

“Prime Minister Kishida explained to Prime Minister Trudeau that Japan has decided to fundamentally reinforce its defense capabilities including the possession of counterstrike capabilities and to increase its defense budget based on the new ‘National Security Strategy’ (NSS) and other documents formulated last month, to which Prime Minister Trudeau gave his full support,” according to a statement by Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

Last month, Japan adopted an updated version of its national security strategy, allowing its armed forces to acquire what it called “counterstrike capability.”

The updated three key security and defense documents allow Japan's armed forces to "acquire the capability to strike targets in enemy territory to deter attacks."

It also authorizes the government to “allocate about 43 trillion yen (approximately $315 billion) for defense budgets over five years from fiscal 2023.”

Kishida also welcomed Canada's announcement of the "Indo-Pacific Strategy" and said the strategy is in line with the "Japan-Canada Action Plan contributing to a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

The two leaders also exchanged views on regional issues, including Ukraine, North Korea, and China, and agreed to continue sanctions against Russia and strong support for Ukraine, according to the statement.

“They also confirmed that they are seriously concerned about Russia's nuclear threats, which are absolutely unacceptable, and that Russia should never use nuclear weapons under any circumstances,” said the two leaders.

The leaders also called the North Korean ballistic missile launches unacceptable and said they will continue to work closely together toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.

* Writing by Islamuddin Sajid