Latest news with #CabinetSecretariat
Yomiuri Shimbun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Private Flight Near Senkakus Triggers Response from China, Causes Headache for Japan
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo The Senkaku Islands are seen in Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, in September 2013. The government is struggling with how to respond to flights by Japanese private jets around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, where one such flight recently led to a Chinese aircraft intruding into Japanese airspace. On May 3, a Japanese civilian aircraft ignored a government request to refrain from approaching the islands and flew near them. In response, China dispatched a helicopter and used the incident as a pretext for intruding into Japan's airspace. 'If a private aircraft lacking sufficient response capabilities takes a pleasure flight over the area, a civilian could be harmed. We took what we felt were necessary measures to prevent this,' said Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on Wednesday, referring to the request that the government issued. He was speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee. While explaining that Japanese private jets are in principle free to fly in Japanese airspace, Iwaya stressed that the government had asked for self-restraint to prevent unforeseen circumstances. Given the possibility for tension, the government does not want aircraft to approach the islands if it is not essential for them to do so. At the meeting, Yuichiro Wada, a Japan Innovation Party member in the lower house, argued that if the government's request creates the impression that the islands are a disputed area, it could undercut Japan's position that 'there is no territorial issue surrounding the Senkaku Islands.' In response, Kosei Murota, a councillor for the Cabinet Secretariat, touched on the routine intrusion into Japan's territorial waters around the islands by China's coast guard, and said that, 'In exercising our sovereignty, it is also our duty to protect the safety of the Japanese people.' Murota also asserted that a request for self-restraint 'would not undermine Japan's sovereignty.' The pleasure flight was planned by an 80-year-old Japanese pilot who said he 'wanted to encourage Japan Coast Guard officers who are working hard.' The flight was discussed by the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, the National Security Secretariat and the Cabinet Secretariat's situation response office, and they decided to ask the pilot to refrain from flying near the area, but he refused to comply. On the afternoon of May 3, as the man's small plane approached the islands, a helicopter took off from a Chinese coast guard ship sailing in Japanese territorial waters and violated Japanese airspace. The helicopter returned to its ship after about 15 minutes, apparently waiting for the man's jet to leave the area. China subsequently claimed that it had dispatched its helicopter to expel the Japanese civilian aircraft from 'Chinese airspace.' The incident marked the third airspace violation by China around the islands, but it was the first time China demanded a Japanese aircraft leave the area. 'Beijing will likely extend its 'salami-slicing tactic,' in which it gradually changes the status quo by force, from the sea to the sky,' said Shigeki Muto, former commander of the Air Self-Defense Force's Air Defense Command. 'By repeatedly violating Japan's territorial waters and airspace, China aims to give the international community the impression that it has effective control over the Senkaku Islands.' The government will likely discuss whether to continue calling for self-restraint from private flights or to introduce legal restrictions. However, according to the Civil Aeronautics Law, no-fly zones can only be issued for areas that pose an evident physical danger, such as places where radar systems are deployed by U.S. forces in Japan and there is a risk of instrument failure onboard aircraft. That makes it difficult to create regulations that are binding. 'We will carefully study what measures will leave China with no excuses for illegally entering Japan's territory,' said a government official.
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First Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
‘Fighting India is in Pakistan's DNA, only deterrence is increasing costs for terror': Pak expert Tilak Devasher
The anti-India sentiment is in the DNA of Pakistan, which means that the only way to ensure deterrence is imposing increasing costs for every act of terror, said Tilak Devasher, a former Special Secretary at Cabinet Secretariat, in an interview with Firstpost. read more Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan Asim Munir, reviews the parade at the passing out ceremony of 151st Long Course at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, Abbottabad, Pakistan, April 26, 2025. Press Information Department of Pakistan via Reuters With Operation Sindoor, India entered a new age in the war on terrorism. Unlike 2016 when India conducted cross-border surgical strikes or 2019 when India conducted airstrike on a terrorist facility, India this time struck at the heart of terrorism as it struck headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed among other sites. In an interview with Firstpost's Madhur Sharma, Pakistan expert Tilak Devasher said that Indian actions, both kinetic actions like airstrikes and non-kinetic actions like holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, took Pakistan by surprise. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ: Operation Sindoor: With battlefield edge, India cornered Pakistan to seek peace & that's new normal 'They had not anticipated being attacked in Punjab — both the terror headquarters and airbases. So, yes, Asim Munir has lost face and hence his elevation to Field Marshal is an act of damage control, tell the people falsely that they won even though they suffered a major defeat,' said Devasher, a former Special Secretary at Cabinet Secretariat. As for the India-Pakistan relationship, Devasher said that the anti-India sentiment is in the DNA of Pakistan and the only way to ensure deterrence is imposing increasing costs for every act of terror, said Devasher, the author of 'Pakistan: Courting the Abyss', 'Pakistan: At the Helm', 'Pakistan: The Balochistan Conundrum', and 'The Pashtuns: A Contested History'. Read the full interview: With Operation Sindoor and the accompanying messaging from the government, do you believe that we now have a new 'Modi Doctrine' of national security? Yes, we do have a Modi Doctrine now. Its key components are that if there is a terrorist attack on India, there will be a fitting response; the nuclear blackmail will no longer work and India will strike precisely and decisively; and that there will be no distinction between terrorists and their sponsors. It had been said that the weak position of the Pakistani Army was one of the reasons behind approving the Pahalgam attack — the idea being that a confrontation with India would rally people around the flag and restore the Army's primacy. Do you believe in this line of thought? If yes, do you believe that Field Marshal Asim Munir miscalculated and has now lost face? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This has been Pakistan's template when faced with serious domestic issues. They divert the issue and externalise the problem to manufacture a crisis. Nothing unites the population behind the Army more than a confrontation with India. However, in this case, the Indian reaction, both kinetic and non-kinetic, took Pakistan by surprise. They had not anticipated being attacked in Punjab — both the terror headquarters and airbases. So, yes, Munir has lost face and hence his elevation to Field Marshal is an act of damage control and tell the people falsely that they won even though they suffered a major defeat. As Pakistani military stands weaker after being battered by India, do you believe that various insurgent groups in Pakistan are now going to ramp up their operations to make the most of the situation? Yes, it is a strong signal to the Baloch and the Pashtuns — and even Sindhis. They could well ramp up their operations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In your book, 'Pakistan: Courting the Abyss', you have mentioned that being in a state of confrontation with India is a must for the Pakistani Army and hatred of India is quite integral to it. With such anti-India fundamentals, do you believe there is a possibility of Pakistan being deterred in the long-term? To retain its primacy in Pakistan, a confrontation with India is expected from the Pakistani Army. Any peace or normal relations with India will make the Army lose that primacy. So, the only way to deter Pakistan is to keep increasing the cost of confrontation. Given their economic situation, they will find it difficult to recoup their losses after every confrontation with India. For many years, it was said that the age of conventional warfare between India and Pakistan was over. Do you believe that India really called out Pakistan's nuclear bluff? Or did India keep the attacks well below the threshold to rattle Pakistan? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I think India did call Pakistan's nuclear bluff. Pakistan is the only nuclear weapons country that treats nuclear weapons as war-fighting weapons. For other countries, nuclear weapons are deterrents. Despite their bluster, when it came to the crunch, India tested this and called out the nuclear bluff. Several of Pakistan's so-called red-lines were crossed when their air bases were targeted but they did not or could not react. Do you believe that internal troubles in Pakistan, such as insurgencies, financial troubles, or political chaos, can ever put a check on its anti-India campaign? I don't think so since being anti-India is in Pakistan's DNA. The whole philosophy of eating grass for a thousand years stems from this deep-rooted anti-India hatred.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Uttar Pradesh govt makes Aadhaar verification a must for cattle adoption scheme
The Uttar Pradesh government has made Aadhaar verification mandatory for availing of the benefits under the scheme that provides financial support to individuals who voluntarily adopt cattle from cow shelters. According to a government notification issued by principal secretary, animal husbandry, K Ravindra Naik here on May 27, beneficiaries will now have to furnish proof of possession of an Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication to receive the monetary support of ₹50 per cattle per day for up to two cattle. Those not yet enrolled will be required to register for Aadhaar at designated enrolment centres and furnish proof of application to avail of the interim benefits. Officials said the move aims to streamline service delivery, eliminate duplicate and fake beneficiaries, and ensure that subsidies reach only genuine and eligible individuals. Aadhaar linkage will also facilitate direct benefit transfers, reduce paperwork and improve transparency in the disbursal process. 'In addition to targeting the right beneficiaries, Aadhaar integration supports better monitoring and data-driven planning for resource allocation,' special secretary (animal husbandry), Devendra Kumar Pandey said. Under the current system, according to Pandey, the money was transferred to district magistrates (DMs) who would provide the funds to the beneficiaries. 'Now, like in various other government-funded schemes, the funds under the cow adoption scheme too will be transferred directly to the beneficiaries through the DBT after their Aadhaar verification and linking the same to their bank account,' he said. The notification acknowledges potential authentication failures and outlines remedial measures: The scheme also outlines mechanisms to address biometric failures during Aadhaar authentication. In cases where fingerprint or iris scans fail, face authentication, OTP-based verification, or other approved fallback options will be used to ensure no genuine beneficiary is left out. The department has directed the implementing agency to widely publicise the new requirement and ensure that the Aadhaar mandate does not become a barrier to access. A grievance redressal mechanism has also been put in place as per guidelines of the Cabinet Secretariat issued in 2017. Under the cow adoption scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive ₹50 per cattle per day on a monthly basis to cover food and fodder expenses for animals adopted from temporary or permanent cow shelters. Currently, there are around 14 lakh stray cattle, including 1.30 lakh in urban areas, sheltered in 8381 conservation centres across the state. Over 1.50 lakh stray cattle have been adopted by individuals under the cow adoption scheme.
Asahi Shimbun
28-05-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Japan offers to buy 1 trillion yen in chips during U.S. tariff talks
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer meets with Japan's top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa in Washington on May 23. (Provided by the Cabinet Secretariat) The government has proposed purchasing billions of dollars' worth of U.S. semiconductors, primarily from industry giant Nvidia Corp., according to government sources familiar with ongoing Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations. This proposed deal could cost as much as 1 trillion yen ($6.9 billion) and would serve as a bargaining chip aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit. To support large-scale chip imports, the government plans to offer subsidies to domestic firms, particularly telecommunications and tech companies that operate data centers. Nvidia remains a dominant player in the global artificial intelligence chip market with an estimated 80 percent share in semiconductors for data centers. As U.S. chip makers depend on Taiwan for manufacturing, tensions in the region have prompted President Donald Trump to focus on boosting domestic production. Japan has also proposed support measures for the U.S.-based manufacturing of essential semiconductor components such as wafers and chemical solutions. Underscoring the importance of building a resilient, shared supply chain, Japanese officials stress that enhanced cooperation would bolster economic security for both nations. Japan's chief trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa is scheduled to hold a fourth round of talks with U.S. officials in Washington as early as May 30. The discussions come ahead of a planned bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Canada in mid-June. Both sides hope to make significant progress in ministerial-level negotiations ahead of the leaders' summit.
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First Post
27-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Bunkers and brinkmanship: Japan doubles bomb shelter capacity, prepares for the unthinkable
Japan is undergoing a profound shift from postwar pacifism to proactive civil defence, building a nationwide shelter network to confront growing regional threats and redefine its role in an uncertain world read more Japan is making major changes to its defence preparations, reflecting a shift in how the country approaches national security in today's increasingly unstable world. For many years, Japan relied on the peace-focussed rules in its postwar constitution, which kept it from building up its military too much. But now, Japan is quickly improving its defence systems because of growing fears about missile threats from nearby countries. As part of this major change, Japan has started a large project to build enough bomb shelters for 10 million people. This includes making more underground and long-term shelters, especially near Taiwan and other islands in the southwest, as reported by Nikkei Asia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is more than just building new shelters—it shows a deeper change in how Japan sees its role. The country is working to become a stronger and more protected island combining stronger buildings and shelters with more military readiness. This change was clearly stated in Japan's updated National Security Strategy, which came out in December 2022. In that report, Japan said its security situation is now 'more severe and complex than at any other time in the post-Second World War period,' showing just how serious the country views today's threats. Doubling shelter capacity: A race against time According to the Cabinet Secretariat, Japan now has more than 58,000 designated bomb shelters. But as reported by Nikkei Asia, only about 3,900 of these—or around 7 per cent—are underground, which many see as the most important type for protecting people from modern missile attacks. These underground shelters can currently hold only 5 per cent of Japan's population. To fix this, the government has set a new goal: to increase capacity so over 10 million people can be protected, nearly doubling the current limit of 6 million. As part of this effort, the government is looking at 1,489 more possible sites for underground shelters. This could add around 4 million square meters to the current total of 4.91 million square meters of shelter space. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Japan Times explained that using the short-stay space standard of 0.825 square metres per person, this would be enough room to protect more than 10 million people during an emergency. These shelters are being divided into short-term spaces for quick safety and long-term ones where people could stay for up to two weeks. The areas closest to Taiwan are getting special attention, especially the Sakishima island chain. According to The Japan News, this includes Ishigaki, Miyakojima, Yonaguni, Taketomi and the village of Tarama. These islands are considered frontline areas if a conflict involving Taiwan breaks out with Yonaguni being just 110 kilometres away from Taiwan and lacking many options for evacuating large groups of people. To protect the residents, the Japanese government is planning to build strong, new shelters that can hold people for about two weeks. The Japan Times reported that these shelters will have 30-centimetre-thick reinforced walls, multiple entry and exit points, emergency ventilation systems, food and water supplies and strong structures that can resist missile strikes and bombings from the air. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In Yonaguni Town, local leaders have asked the government for help building these shelters. Defence Minister Gen Nakatani, as quoted by The Japan News said that people in the area are very concerned and agreed that 'strengthening the defence system in the Nansei area is an urgent issue.' To support this, the defence ministry has included funding in the 2025 budget to help pay for building these vital shelters in the region. Tokyo's underground response Japan's capital, Tokyo, is also getting ready for possible major emergencies. According to The Japan News, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is planning to build its first long-term underground shelter inside Azabu-juban Station on the Toei Oedo subway line. This new shelter is meant to protect people if the city ever faces a long-lasting missile attack since many citizens are worried that current evacuation centres wouldn't be strong enough to handle such a situation. The planned shelter will have food and water supplies, emergency electricity, air ventilation and communication systems to help people stay safe for an extended period. But as The Japan News also pointed out, the project comes with big money and planning problems. Each shelter could cost hundreds of millions of yen, so making similar shelters across the entire city would be very hard unless private companies help. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tokyo is now looking at creative ideas like turning underground parking areas into shelters and encouraging private builders to create spaces that can be used both in everyday life and during emergencies. A psychological and social turning point Japan's major push to build more bomb shelters shows not just a change in defence planning but also a big shift in how people think and feel about safety. For many years, civil defence wasn't a big focus in Japan. It was seen as something from the past, especially because the country followed a pacifist path and relied on protection from the US through its nuclear shield. But now, both the government and the public are starting to face the hard truth that a military conflict in East Asia could directly affect Japan. This change in thinking has two sides. First, building more shelters makes people more aware that Japan could be in real danger—it's a sign that the country is no longer untouched by rising tensions in the region. But at the same time, it helps create a stronger feeling of unity and readiness. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who has supported civil defence efforts for a long time saying that showing a strong attitude—like saying, 'Shoot if you can, but not a single Japanese citizen will die'—can actually help prevent attacks. Businesses are also reacting to the possible risks. A Kyodo News survey shared by the Eurasian Times found that 53 per cent of Japan's major companies have already made emergency plans in case a crisis breaks out over Taiwan. These plans include evacuation routes and storing supplies. This shows that Japanese companies are increasingly worried about how a conflict could impact them, especially because Japan has close business and investment ties with Taiwan. Shelter specifications and comparative insights To make sure the new shelters work well, Japan is setting strict safety and building standards. In early 2025, the government carried out a nationwide survey to check if existing shelters were strong and safe enough under the Civil Protection Law. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As reported by The Japan Times, the results showed that 61 per cent of shelters had walls that met the required thickness of 30 centimetres. However, only 46 per cent had strong enough ceilings to handle powerful impacts. On a more positive note, 73 per cent of the shelters had the needed multiple entry points for people to get in and out safely. Japan is also looking at how other countries have built their shelter systems. According to The Japan Times, Finland has shelters for 86 per cent of its population. These are designed to protect people from chemical attacks and can support three-day stays. South Korea has gone even further, with shelters that could hold 331 per cent of its population. All of them are underground and fully equipped. When compared to these countries, Japan's shelters are still very different in terms of how well they are built and what they offer. This shows just how much work Japan still has to do to reach similar levels of protection. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Strategic context: Deterrence by denial Japan's shelter-building campaign is not happening on its own. It's a key part of a bigger plan to stop threats before they happen, as explained in the country's major defence update from 2022. In the National Security Strategy, National Defence Strategy and Defence Buildup Program released that year, Japan laid out its goal to raise defence spending to 2 per cent of its GDP by 2027 and to add counterstrike missile systems to its defences. Japan's new defence thinking is focussed on what it calls 'deterrence by denial.' This means making it harder for enemies to succeed if they attack, by strengthening both military and civilian defences. The basic idea is that if a country like Japan can take a hit and keep going, then enemies may be less likely to attack in the first place. This way of thinking is especially important now, as China becomes more forceful over the issue of Taiwan. Tokyo understands that if China takes action against Taiwan, it could also affect Japan—especially in places like the Senkaku Islands, which both Japan and China claim. So, Japan's efforts to improve civil defence are not just about keeping people safe during an attack. They are also about sending a clear message to potential enemies: attacking Japan won't be easy or worth it. Community preparedness: Civil defence as civic duty Local communities in Japan are also playing a big role in getting ready for emergencies. According to The Japan Times, five cities and towns in the Sakishima Islands were picked for the first round of shelter construction because they had already done evacuation planning and run civil defence drills. This shows how important it is for everyday people to be involved in preparing for disasters. These drills are not done alone—they are organised together with both the prefectural and national governments adding an important layer of safety and teamwork. Local governments are also working closely with the central government to make evacuation maps, let people know where the nearest shelters are and improve emergency alert systems. In some areas, residents are being taught basic survival skills and first aid bringing back old community traditions of helping each other during crises—traditions that had slowly disappeared after the war. Costs and challenges Even with strong progress, Japan faces many challenges ahead. Building strong shelters, especially underground ones designed for long stays, costs a lot of money. The Tokyo metropolitan government has already said that to build many of these shelters across the city, help from private companies will be needed. Japan also needs to balance civil defence needs with current laws like the Building Standards Act, which might not cover situations like wartime attacks. The government plans to create a clear policy by the end of fiscal 2026 that will guide shelter construction and may update these laws, according to The Japan Times. Another big issue is protection against unusual threats like nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) attacks. Unlike Finland, Japan's current shelter plans do not include systems to defend against these NBC threats, leaving an important weakness in the country's civil defence system. Japan's focus on building strong civil defence is a major part of its security identity in the 21st century. The plan to expand shelters, especially near Taiwan, shows that Japan is seriously facing regional dangers and choosing to be prepared and resilient. This change from a mostly peaceful approach to one of defensive readiness is more than just a strategy—it is a deep shift in how Japan thinks about its future safety. If done well, this plan could help Japan delay or stop attacks and give the country more influence in keeping peace.
