In a major shift from its decades-long pacifist defence policy, Japan has vowed to reinforce its defence capabilities in order to prevent a situation similar to Ukraine from occurring in the region.
Saying that Japan is “committed to realism diplomacy for a new era,” Prime Minister PM Fumio Kishida asserted that his country “will be more proactive than ever in tackling the challenges and crises.”
Speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security summit on Friday, Kishida outlined a series of steps aimed at promoting a “new era” in Japan’s defence and foreign policies. Foremost among these steps is “expanding Japan’s security role” and “fundamentally reinforcing” its defence capabilities, Kishida said.
Heard Japanese PM @kishida230 give the keynote address at the @IISS_org Shangri-La Dialogue last night. Glad to welcome back the dialogue after a 2-year hiatus, at a time when the world is facing major regional and global security challenges. – LHL https://t.co/wTGOfFyARg pic.twitter.com/O95Jf2eOHt
— leehsienloong (@leehsienloong) June 11, 2022
“In light of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, countries’ perceptions on security have drastically changed around the world,” the PM noted, adding that “Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow.”
While stressing that Tokyo “will seek to build a stable international order through dialogue [and not] confrontation,” Kishida noted that at the same time “we must be prepared for the emergence of an entity that tramples on the peace and security of other countries by force or threat without honouring the rules.”
on a defense equipment & tech transfer agreement. To commemorate my visit, a new type of orchid was named "Dendrobium Kishida Fumio." I understand it is the first time for an orchid to be named after a prime minister of #Japan. (2/3) pic.twitter.com/nE5yxVkF8p
— PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) June 11, 2022
“This will be absolutely essential if Japan is to learn to survive in the new era and keep speaking out as a standard-bearer of peace,” he remarked.
Accordingly, Kishida said that Japan will announce a new ‘National Security Strategy’ by the end of the year. “I am determined to fundamentally reinforce Japan’s defence capabilities within the next five years and secure a substantial increase of Japan’s defence budget needed to effect it,” he proclaimed.
Prime Minister Kishida will deliver speech at Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Friday. Japanese media reports have already sent a signal - Kishida has come with ill intentions. By hyping ‘China threat’, Kishida will send aftershocks of European geopolitical earthquake to Asia. pic.twitter.com/Ovva5BtfCj
— Lin Jing 林静 (@CGCHINA_CPT) June 9, 2022
He added that Japan will not rule out any military option in the future, including counter-strike capabilities aimed at deterring an attack on its soil. However, he reasserted Tokyo’s long-held anti-nuclear weapons position and said that “we will do our utmost towards achieving a world without nuclear weapons.”
“The threat of nuclear weapons, let alone the use of them, should never be tolerated. As the prime minister of the only country that has suffered the devastation of atomic bombings, I strongly appeal for this,” Kishida urged.
In addition, he also emphasised the importance of cooperating with like-minded countries, as “no country can ensure its security entirely on its own.” With this in mind, the PM said that he intended to “promote multi-layered security cooperation” with allies that share universal values, including positioning the Japan-United States alliance as the “lynchpin.”
A warm welcome to Prime Minister of Japan @kishida230 on his first official visit to Singapore! Prime Minister Kishida will deliver the keynote address for the Shangri-La Dialogue this evening. pic.twitter.com/0IoYZewdP2
— Vivian Balakrishnan (@VivianBala) June 10, 2022
“We will further reinforce the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US alliance, which has become the cornerstone of peace and stability in not only the Indo-Pacific but also the entire world,” Kishida stressed.
Moreover, he claimed that Japan will be at the forefront of maintaining a rules-based “free and open international order,” especially in the Indo-Pacific. To achieve an inclusive Indo-Pacific “collaboration with the Association for Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) is absolutely essential,” Kishida added.
“The history of Japan and Southeast Asia is underpinned by a long history of goodwill and friendship,” he noted, adding that Japan’s ties with the region have significantly grown since the end of World War II. Furthermore, he noted that Japan views Pacific Island countries as important partners for the realisation of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“We will contribute to strengthening the foundation for their [Pacific Island states] sustainable and resilient economic development, including addressing the existential challenge of climate change,” he said. “Cooperation based on a free and open Indo-Pacific is cooperation built upon long-standing trust.”
News from PM Kishida’s latest visit abroad to #Singapore🇸🇬: https://t.co/sHeY5o94Iy
— The Gov't of Japan (@JapanGov) June 10, 2022
Talking about China, Kishida stressed that, just like Russia has destabilised eastern Europe by invading Ukraine, China poses a threat to East Asia and the Indo-Pacific. Referring to China, Kishida said that the rules of the South China Sea are being violated, especially the terms set out by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
He also noted that China is continuing to make “unilateral attempts” in the East China Sea to alter the status quo of the region by violating international law. He added that the Japanese response has so far been firm.
Asserting that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are also crucial to the wider stability of the region, Kishida said Beijing’s actions are destabilising the region. “Unfortunately, much of activities not respecting people’s diversity, free will, and human rights is also taking place in this region,” he added.
Furthermore, he noted that North Korea’s strengthening of its nuclear arsenal and launch of ballistic missiles with “unprecedented frequency [is] posing a clear and serious challenge to the international community.” In this respect, he claimed that Japan, South Korea, and the US will work together to ensure the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
Chinese state-owned newspaper Global Times rejected Kishida’s remarks on China and claimed that the PM was using the Russia-Ukraine war as a pretext to improve Japan’s defence capabilities and “collude” with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
“Tokyo’s selfish and dangerous attempt is unlikely to succeed, as China and other peace-loving regional countries will work together to keep the region away from the regional militarisation and confrontation which is happening in Europe,” the agency said.
It also noted that Tokyo is trying to hype the “China threat theory” as a way to foment regional tensions and “legitimise its ambition to develop military force and push for an amendment of its pacifist constitution.” It added, “If Asia remains peaceful and stable, Tokyo won’t have an excuse to break the limitations of its constitution, get rid of US control and become a normalised country.”