People protest against the Japanese government's attempts to undermine the pacifist constitution through constitutional revision and military expansion policies in Tokyo, on Tuesday. ZHU CHENXI/CHINA NEWS SERVICE
Although many of Japan's recent military initiatives have been framed as keeping pace with developments in defense equipment and technology, they, in fact, reveal a growing offensive orientation in the country's security strategy, which points to a significant shift in Japan's defense policy that could undermine regional peace and stability, experts said.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside Japan's National Diet Building on Tuesday evening to protest against the government's efforts to weaken the country's pacifist constitution through constitutional revision and military expansion policies.
Japanese media reported on Monday that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party had drafted proposals to revise the country's three key national security documents.
The proposals reportedly call for strengthening Japan's air defense systems and sustained combat capabilities, as well as accelerating the deployment of submarines equipped with advanced propulsion systems and capable of carrying long-range missiles to enhance Japan's so-called "counterstrike capabilities".
