That they wont be surprised to predict it. You know, im not very good at things is always great to see the whole nation do well. So i think cats are very good young Team Together for a long time. Be good to see the hopes do well for the country for the region. Katasha 2022 begins in less than 50 days, and David Beckham is looking forward to a great tony. What is the show for now . Is that this will come, will be quite unlike any other in history to have malik al jazeera. So i, well this is al jazeera and these are the top stories this. Our north korea has 5 is longest range missile. Yes. The intermediate range Ballistic Missile flu for 4000 kilometers before falling into the pacific ocean. Its the to fly over japan since 2017 prompting condemnations and severe warnings from its neighbors. And the us, ah, launched from the japan to activate its massage and that System People were ordered to take shelter and trains with suspended in some regions. From mcbride follows developments from salt. Weve seen a very strong reaction as you would expect from a japan, a few mucus sheets, the Prime Minister, calling this a reckless act at the countrys chief cabinet secretary saying that this threatened regional piece and also the International Community. Weve also had a strong response of from sol here, the units of girl, the south korean president saying that there would be a resolute response from the countries military and also from south careers allies. But you have to say that its difficult to see just what other measures are the International Community and the allies in this part of the world can put in place to try to get terse and north korea to change it ways the upper house of russias parliament has ratified its claim to annexation of full regions in ukraine buckler. Lou, what did you just was the scene on monday, after the doom a lower house voted in favor of the new law. The u. S. Says it will impose further measures against iranian officials, responsible for a crackdown on protest. Demonstrations had been held for days over the death of mercer many in Police Custody last month. And sad story is up next. A 3rd of the country is under water. More than 33000000 are suffering from hunger, disease and displacement. You heard stories about children who were drinking from the same water with their dead cattle was floating al jazeera questions, that Climate Change play a role in the deadly down react 1750 millimeters of this kind of lincoln sink any place the full report pakistan the great deluge on al jazeera, what is the japanese Prime Ministers military strategy fully ok, shita says that his government will create a new National Security strategy that is pledged more spending on defense capabilities. But whats his intention . And will it work . This is inside stored . Ah, ah hello, welcome to the program, im Adrian Finnegan. Japan is scrambling to boost its military strength to counter what took care sees as rising threats from china in his National Address on monday, Prime Minister for mucus sheeter emphasized his goal to bolster the military over the next 5 years. But with the weekend, he struggling to find the finances to do it. His predecessor, sions, obey focused heavily on shoring up reserves. But shita has low Approval Ratings of needs to regain the trust of the public to fulfill his governments. Key policies. Who need boy, if you look in an integrated and strong manner, we will consider the content of our defense capabilities, which will be necessary for the drastic fronting of our defense capabilities within 5 years. As well as grasp the faith of the budget and secure Financial Resources for that purpose, we will draw conclusions during the budgeting process. By the end of this year, we will formulate a new National Security strategy, which we have been discussing. Along with china, the threat from nearby north Korea Remains a talk concern to japan. For the 1st time pyongyang launched 4 rockets in one week. Something to pounds vice defense minister says is unacceptable. Doesnt say were producing, pick her up since the beginning of this year. North korea has repeatedly launched missiles with unprecedented frequency and new ways, including provocation. Escalating launches such as launching Ballistic Missiles for toms in quick succession in the past week alone. North korea, as actions threatened the peace and safety, not only for japan, but also the region and the International Community and not absolutely impermissible. What was the pounds goal of military expansion is both expensive and controversial. The Defense Ministry requested board and 43000000000. 00 for the 2023 fiscal year. Thats the highest budget request in history and more than one percent of the countries g, d, p. The plan also includes introducing preemptive strike capabilities and plans the for the promote Nuclear Energy critic se this could violate the countries pacifist constitution and raises safety concerns stemming from the 2011 Fukushima Nuclear disaster. Japan doesnt plan on growing, its military alone. She said he hopes to maintain dialogue with china while working with us and other allies to promote in the pacific security. Ah, why there is much to discuss with our guests for todays program. Lets bring them in from shes ok. So general tucker, shes a professor at the university of shes worker in tokyo. Weve got a craig, mark, a professor at the faculty of International Studies akira. So Womens University gentlemen, welcome to the program. Im sierra, lets start with you. Just how controversial are japans military Spending Plans for the next year . Okay, we heard a lot about this. 43000000000. 00 figure the highest ever just over one percent of g d p. But, but hang on previoUs Administrations have tended to keep defense spending around the one percent g d p. Mark. Whats, whats so remarkable that about this budget . Well, you know, one percent had been what one would call the defense line for many people except in that line. And this was thought to be aligned that shouldnt be crossed out. But you know, with this very strong aggression that were getting from china. Ah, and also from north korea is report, which in my opinion is richie china. Ah, as there were increased big data is actually, you know, china and seeing whats happening in europe as well. I think its very, very clear on, along with the fact that during the days of trump are, you know, theres been a lot of, i should say, awareness about, you know, increasing as defense spending. So i wouldnt be surprised. You know, if it goes well easily beyond one percent, are certainly targeting the 2 percent line, which is the request of the previous president by the United States. Craig, do you agree with that . Will japans defense spending increase to around 2 percent of g d. P in the coming is why does the Prime Minister and his party think its so important for them to do so . Well, as has been said, is the very much aware of the potential instability in the region with the rising power of china. The potential threat from north korea and of course, the divisions with russia since the crime war. And theres been discussions within the liberal Democratic Party within the various policy committees of raising it to 2 percent, possibly by the end of the decade. So this incremental increase in defense spending, which has been happening every year since the administration returned to power in 2012, that trained to just is going to keep on accelerating. And if japan does reach to percent of gdp, thatll make it the 3rd Largest Military spend ups in the world after the us in china. Currently its rated about spinning around 50000000000. 00 us per year. So that will be a radical departure. And also, as mentioned in the intro, the capabilities of the Defense Forces ago to change the counter strike capability, extending the range of missiles. So they could potentially be used to as the Defense Forces, side deter, attacks on japan of over a 1000 kilometer ranges. The re, re structured the self Defense Forces to have more deployments in the south. In these islands of south of okinawa, which confronts the scene cock islands, claimed by china as the di wilds, and increasing a whole range of capabilities in cyber warfare by systems. All these very radical changes, which i got to come about through the rest of this scenario, the picking up from what gray was saying that it is perhaps understandable that japan would need a strong to terrance. But why would it need counter strike capabilities . And at is that not at odds with the countries pacifist constitution more, the meaning of the pacifist constitution has been altered as you know. And now we are at a point where we can and will defend, for example, our allied forces. So that has been rectified. And also, i think many people are starting to realize that, you know, by keeping the 9th amendment, which is our Peace Keeping bible. Ah, that doesnt mean that, you know, a foreigner, it forces will be sting out. On the contrary, its totally the other way around, as you saw very recently in action by north korea. The more you left leave them alone, you know, the more they want to be appearing on the stage. Now theyve been throwing over 28 missiles. I think last year end of this year old, already a very record breaking number, basically to attract attention and also having china as their backbone. They do not have to worry about sanctions because we talk about sanctions, north korea. But you know, the fact of the matter is 90 percent of the trade is done with china. So you know, the sanctioned by other countries arent really going to hurt in korea. And having this big world again, many between United States and china and japan clearly siding with the United States, especially during the days of you know, mr. Army ah, its very, very clear that you know, on North Koreans are virtually, you know, able to be the bad boy of the region affects the backup of china. So, you know, these issues are starting to gradually thinking to many of the japanese and i think for that reason, i think theyll be very clear back up. That said course it is under the assumption that Economic Situation will be stable. And that is a big question. Yet when we get to come on to the Economic Situation in it, but a little while, seizure, but 1st, craig, japan has new defense minister settle monday. The International Community is quote, entering a new era of crisis. And that japan needed to be adequately ready to counter this. I mean, what, what did he mean . Who or what does japan see as the main threats to its security right now . Well, as been mentioned, north korea is obviously a direct threat when its miss all testing. And the even room is going around in the south drain media. The maybe they might conduct an underground nuclear test and the next couple of weeks. And that would definitely focus the attention on the potential threat of north korea. But of course, china is the main hedge, a monic challenger. And of course, just very recently in august we had the taiwan straits crisis where the response to the visit by how speaking nancy pelosi, the Chinese Military was the Largest Scale military exercises around the world of taiwan. And it is a space in china itself, tested listing miss all some of which landed in the economic exclusion. Joan of japan, neither seen capital islands. So that is the biggest long term threat which japan is considering, as well as russia in the white of the ukraine. Was Prime Minister kesha has strongly condemned russians, illegal invasion, and japan is actually given you the 1000000000. 00 in aid and funding financial support, as well as non wasteful military equipment. You cried. So those are the main threats which are being used to justify this radical restructure. Of the self Defense Forces and this huge increase long term into the budget. And that will require a greater cooperation with japan, security partners. And of course, includes the United States, which still has the largest basing of troops and military forces outside of the United States. In the bases that it has throughout japan, mostly you can although but so very interestingly, japan is increasing Security Cooperation with other countries, australia in particular the beginning of this year the reciprocal access agreement was signed. And that means its traveling forces. Japanese forces will operate much, much more closely together. And just the last weekend there was a meeting of the trilateral security strategic dollar defense ministers in hawaii. And they have also committed to a share strategy in the pacific region. Much more close a trilateral military exercises. And even in the philippines, self Defense Forces of the joins the south korea, philippine and american forces. And also very importantly, south korea. There was a trilateral exercise between the United States, south korea, and the Japanese Maritime self Defense Forces. So all these things are concurrently happening to increase these trains of greater japanese activity by the self defense schools. All right, so jared a feeling out of the answer. Having listen to what grade was just saying that about chinas increasing assertiveness and the threat from north korea and Everything Else that he was saying. Theres no doubt in your mind than that. Japan is not using what it perceives as a regional and global threat as the current regional and Global Threats as an excuse just an excuse to bolster its military capabilities. It is actually pursuing a perfectly reasonable set of defense policies, given the deteriorating security environment in the, in the pacific region. Its basically a geopolitical matter. And i think japan is excessively neutral in many sense, partly because the domestic, you know, policy accessing concern. But you know, i think its very, very clear now that especially as craig was mentioning the forming of quad and also use japan bilateral agreements. And also with south korea, its very, very clear that you know, japan will be citing by a, the United States in the free world. If you look at the trade side, thats also very, very clear. In fact, theyre very closely correlated, especially with the supply chain. The Global Supply chain problem that were all facing right now, which is, in fact, a very big reason for this, you know, inflation that real facing. We basically have to go for security rather than just the effectiveness. And that is causing a very big cost. Partly, we have to truncate china for many of our supply chain. Were moving from in adjusting time, jackie into g i. C, which is just in case as we saw. And that will be needed during, you know, especially days of pandemic. And the success of inclination or relies to china is a very dangerous thing. Ah, so many countries have basically clarified, japan included, you know, which side they should stick on. Ah, and japan certainly is one of them. And, you know, the military issue in japan has very close correlation with geopolitical issue and of course, Economic Issues in vol. Craig, we talked about to pans pacifist constitution that, but the Defense Agreement with, with australia or among other neighbors. I mean, what, what does this all mean for japans relations with its the regional neighbors. I mean, id also it, its, its overseas, unlike the u. S. In particular, can japan no longer rely on the us to defend it . Well, the experience of the trumpet administration was a big shock for allies like japan and australia. So and so this has to be a part of the background thinking of why japan is increasing its insult offense forces and why its reaching out to other partners like las dryly but also india in the quad. Although this concerns about india still remaining fairly close to russia, but especially in se, asia, theres been a big push by japan to increase its foreign aid into the as the end countries and in investments. Particularly with countries like indonesia, but also increasing Security Cooperation with the philippines. We get non the coast guards, the japanese coast got a particular does lots of training in the supply vessels and shipping to vietnam in the philippines, but also with other countries in the regents. And that has been a big focus on japan to try and balance against whats seen as the rising competition of china. But of course, charter is the largest trading partner still of japan and japan has been concerned about the ongoing lock downs in this slowing of the chinese economy. And so in his speech to date promised the case, it did say that japan does wants to maintain stable relations of china. The 50th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between japan and peoples republic of china. And one. The hope that japan has is that the Chinese Tourists will was that was the big focus of the promised acacia is space today. This month, the coded restrictions that have been put in place will be abolished and they are hoping to restore numbers of tourism 2 to 4 pre kinds of levels very quickly. And the Chinese Market is very important for that. So thats going to be a big concern for kesha that can he keep a stable relationship with china, and can he use that relationship to help rebuild the economy . As jeris, craig was saying the speech was known about defense on monday. What did you make of of the speech . Perhaps more importantly, what will the public have made of it . He said that his number one priority was to revitalize the economy. You and ive been talking on television for a very long time about about the japanese economy. How many Prime Ministers before him have said that . Can it be done or his policies, the right ones to do it . Well, it be pretty difficult on the reason for it being is that he does have what we call the golden 3 years. In other words, he doesnt have any obstacles such as the elections for next 3 years. So he could basically touch on structural transition. He should. But i am not sure if he can actually do that. Of course, you know, he can talk about, as craig was saying about trying to increase the imbalance, you know, tourism maybe increase 5 training in or so. But right now we have a very big headache right in front of us, which is inflation or fear are still compared to us, which is above 8 percent. Youre more than that. Japan is only 2 percent. So you can see that it really isnt yet. And the reason for this is in japan is cost push inflation, not like demand pull inflation like in the United States. So it doesnt seem serious but considering the weakness. Yes, this will hurt the japanese economy big time. Until now we can again, was a good news for japanese big exporters, so a flourish in all the system as a whole. And that was one big success by mister ave, on his 1st arrow. But considering the fact that you know this excessive move in this quick acceleration, the n is acceleration of the dollar. Im sorry, weakness the yen is going to hurt. You know, our japan in various ways. Ah, it could hinder many of the plans that he was talking about today, which is particularly in economics and also into some of the political geo domestic political issues. I can of cation church issue. But on the fact of the matter is, is that many people tend to think that you know, all, we can go on forever as we may have all the funds. Because we have the big daddy, gold banker, japan. But, you know, lets face the package man has been buying back our j g. B, japan govern bond over a 170 trillion in the past 2 years and their current kind of swell to almost 600 trillion yen. Now as we see one percent increase in our Interest Rate in order to fight off this week, and the yet in their payoff is going to be well over 5 trillion that wipes out his stories about an inbound benefit thats going to come out. And moreover, the net worth of bank pad is only tension in so i have been saying and i will say it again. Baggage, man, do not have the deep pocket. Like many people think. So this is a very important part of our economic plans going forward. As the baggage past ability isnt as stable as many people want it to be. So there are lots of problem ahead for mr. Shita. And to basically, you know, conduct his, his, his, you know, many as why he hasnt gone into concrete measures. You know, there will be a lot of obstacles, i think ahead for him, especially during this term. All were seeing externally. Craig was monday speech enough to restore public faith in the private us to us government. There was a pole in the assigned newspaper on monday that showed disapproval for cash. It Us Administration was as high as 50 percent. Can his government recover from Something Like that . Whats done more damage to the Prime Minister inflation of the week in the state of the economy that the sincere was talking about then, or his parties links to the Unification Church. The controversy of a sions obeys funeral. I think the Unification Church revelations in the white gibson ave assassination, and the funeral itself has seen the big drop in the critical writing for the progress the case. It is government, people who are already a bit concerned about inflation even before the july election, which saw the ruling party fairly comfortably returned. But the revelations of the Unification Church links to at least half of the diet members in the l. D. P that has been a huge shock and it has really reverberated throughout the media and political environment of japan. So and thats why mr. Kesha that today. He didnt mention a lot, but he just said he was aware of the problems that had occurred. And he was made some mention of maybe tinkering with Consumer Protection laws to try and cock with to make sure the people get ripped off by unification, church and fugette. And he will be hoping that with least number 3 years to go before the next law house election that will blow over box. The opposition parties relatively weak is they will still keep pushing on this issue. And that is probably get a dog, mr. Case for quite some period of time to come and potentially, even the Approval Ratings remain low. And the of the economic challenges dont come about. Given all the structural challenges, then mr. Case should have could find himself confronted by rivals even before the next election. 2025. Yes sir. Ive got about a minute left on the, on the programs. You just want to want to want to pick on that. I mean, i know you said hes got this, this, this 3 years, but i mean, can he tell his, his governments fortunes around that time . Well, i think a lot of the bull is in the corporate sides. You know, for example, hes talking about changing live long employment here, decision to meritocracy, which i think is a very structured transition. Japan needs and basically will increase the wage overall. But you know, the question is, can the japanese government will propel the corporations, do that . I me in days of mr. Avi is a corporation that really didnt make the move. So, you know, were speaking keep ability in ability by Japanese Corporation will be asked or not only the government, i think would be tweeting about the government far too much. We should realized that the ball is definitely in the court of the corporations, especially this time around gentlemen that we must and many thanks indeed for being with us. Agenda took a sheet up and craig mock. Im thank you for watching. Dont forget, you can see the program again at any time just by going to the website at our 0 dot com for further discussion, join us at our facebook page. Youll find that at facebook dot com forward slash ha inside story. And you can join the conversation on twitter. Ill handle at ha, inside story from me, Adrian Finnegan and the whole team here. Thanks for being with us. Well see again my thought, ah, this is a region that is rapidly developed thing, but its one also that is afflicted by conflict. Political lupsi world. We try to balance the stories, the good, the bad, the adam and eve, the people who allow us into their lives, dignity into my niecy, asked me to tell their story. A multi 1000000000. 00 industry. But beyond the glitz and glamour, are those struggling to survive . Desperate to fulfil their additions at a new scenes follows their children to the highest and those so many dreams and aspirations. Thats just not let me, you know, body with dreams coming soon on our 0 and talk to al jazeera. We also give that a women of august that were somehow abandoned by the International Community. We listen, we have a huge price for the rural. Im going to terrorism, whats going on and so money we meet with global news makers. Im talk about the stories that matter on al jazeera rains and torrential floods. Incident have killed at least 100 people. Tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed. The rainy season has been described by some as one of the worst theyve ever seen. The downforce have affected nearly the whole country. J 0 is one of the states where the government has declared a disaster. Dozens of villages have been submerged here since the beginning of the rainy season, leaving hundreds of families homeless. Wading through flood water is the only way, add them. Its mike and his mother can get to their home flood waters wreck. The property and their family was forced to seat dryer lands. I woke up to water, entering the homes, got out what we could. There was nothing left. Many have sought refuge on dryer lands, but they said there yet to receive any help. Adam says he wants the water to receive so he and his mother could go back and rebuild their home again. But after waiting for 2 weeks now, he has no idea when that might happen. Ah