U.S., Japan bulk up military, add to East Asia tensions

Editor's note: Anthony Moretti, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is an associate professor at the Department of Communication and Organizational Leadership at Robert Morris University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

Two politicians are using a familiar strategy in an effort to turn attention away from their sagging domestic political fortunes: ramping up defense spending while speaking of dangers near and far.

Those two politicians are U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. President Biden is seeking re-election next year, and he knows that his unfavorability ratings are now at 55 percent, a number that does not inspire him or his party.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kishida is also unpopular with the electorate. Bloomberg has noted that Japanese voters want him out, and perhaps before his term ends in September. Four members of his Cabinet have already resigned because of a corruption scandal, and in recent days prosecutors raided the offices of multiple Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) factions as they sought more evidence of wrongdoing. Granted, the prime minister is not accused of any corruption, but the voters' discontent with the LDP is obvious.

Before we go any further, let's acknowledge that Biden and Kishida are using convenient fears about China to distract the media and to convince voters they are strong leaders. And if China is to be feared, then it follows that even more money must be spent on defense, increasing it to levels never seen before in either country.

Let's begin with the United States, which in fiscal year 2023 has allocated $857.9 billion, which includes approximately $30 billion for the Department of Energy.