A drastic defense buildup, including the use of a pre-emptive strike, is necessary to counter growing threats in the region. This was stated by an expert commission in a report by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, AP reports.

The commission called on the public to bear the financial burden of defending the country with understanding.

Japan's ruling party wants to double Japan's current defense budget to about 10 trillion ($70 billion) over the next five years.

The recommendations in the report, compiled by 10 independent experts, state that Japan needs to strengthen its economy to pay for military spending while strengthening its military industry and research and development of advanced dual-use technologies. Japan must improve commercial infrastructure for military use in emergencies and strengthen cybersecurity.

Kishida pledged earlier this year to dramatically increase Japan's military capabilities and spending in the face of increasingly assertive Chinese activities as well as threats from North Korea and Russia. The report will feed into an upcoming revision of the national security strategy and key defense guidelines that will be released later this year ahead of the 2023 budget.

Possessing and enhancing counterstrike capabilities is necessary for Japan to maintain and develop deterrence, the report said, pointing to a major shift in the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region, the rapid strengthening of nuclear and missile capabilities in neighboring countries and the deployment of super-powered forces.

Experts believe that Japan needs a radical increase in military power over the next five years.

Japan's ruling party has renamed what is known as a pre-emptive strike counterstrike capability, apparently to emphasize that it is necessary for self-defense. The government states that its use is constitutional if it is used in response to signs of an imminent enemy attack.