Japan’s Government, in August 2014, released its 40th Defence White Paper-the 2014 Defense of Japan . The main content of this issue is Japan’s position on the protection of her territory, territorial waters, and airspace in the context of regional unstable security.
There are 4 major parts in Japan’s 2014 Defence White Paper, namely security environment surrounding Japan, Japan’s security and defence policy, initiatives of defence of Japan, and basis to demonstrate defence capabilities.
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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visits Japan’s Self-Defence Forces (source: AP) |
1. Security environment surrounding Japan
The Paper revealed that the security environment surrounding Japan has been more complex and unstable than before. There exist opaque and uncertain factors with the issues of territorial claims and unification first. Japan believed that the issues of territory, sovereignty, and economic interests are neither in peacetime nor in wartime. There is a clearer trend that its neighboring states are strengthening their military capabilities and intensifing their military activities. Notably, China’s recent moves are considered the main cause for a warning in Japan, which was manifested in this year’s Defence White Paper. In November 2013, China unilaterally announced the establishment of an Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea covering Senkaku which is an unhabibited archipelago under Japan’s management but claimed and named Diaoyutai by China. The White Paper viewed it as a threat and stressed that China’s moves could trigger an unexpected conflict accompanied by unpredictable consequences.
The Paper also expressed Japan’s deep concern about China’s increase in its military expenditure (increasing by 4 times compared to that of the previous decade). Only in the fiscal year 2014, China’s military spending was 808.2 billion yuan (approximately 12,900 billion yen), increasing by 12 percent compared to that of 2013. Meanwhile, Japan’s defence budget in the fiscal year 2014 was only 4,780 billion yen (that of 2013 was 4,680 billion yen). The Paper mentioned that China would continue modernizing its military equipment basing on the assumption about armed conflicts in sea; it would launch its first domestic aircraft carrier in early 2020s and considerably reinforce its fleet of new warships.
It is worth noting that the Paper first mentioned “incidents in controversial areas”. The incidents occurred in the areas that both Japan’s Coast Guard Force and Japan’s Police could not handle properly, though they did not lead to a conflict. The incidents in controversial areas were regarded as “violation” which is not related to the use of force but implies China’ plots to change the status quo in order to get economic interests, provoke incidents in the areas. The Paper expressed concern about the further intensifying activities in the future.
In addition to identifying China as the major concern due to its “dangerous” acts in sea and air, especially China’s effort to control the seas around Japan, the Paper also listed North Korea and Russia among the factors making the security environment surrounding Japan more severe. While warning North Korea’s missiles and nuclear program as one of the factors causing serious unrest, the Paper noted that Tokyo is also “keeping an eye” on Russia’s engagement in Ukraine. Japan supposed that Russia’s recent moves can be a signal of expansion of its military activities in the region.
A number of Japan’s defence officials said that its 2014 Defence White Paper only mentioned the truth about China’s actions toward the regional security. And that not only Japan who worried about China’s unilateral establishment of ADIZ, but also America and international community voiced their concerns. Because it is an extremely perilous act, violating the principle of international flight freedom. Notably, the action causes escalation, possibly leads to instability, threatens regional peace and stability.
2. Japan’s security and defence policy
This part touches on main ideas of Japan’s security and defence. The gist is that a strong Japan will not only lead the international community in economic aspect but also play a more responsible role in regional security and perform its strong leadership to live up to the world’s expectations. Also, in this part, Japan’s security and defence policies were mentioned in sections, namely Basic guideline to propose a new security law; Mechanism of National Security Council; Security Strategy; Outline of new self-defence plan (10-year defence policy); Outline of medium term defence program (2014-2019); Defence expenditure and mobilizing defence strength.
3. Initiatives of defence of Japan
The Paper outlined 3 chapters: Initiatives to protect the lives and property of the people and secure the territorial land, water and airspace; strengthening of the Japan-U.S. Alliance; and Active promotion of Security Cooperation. Accordingly, in order to prevent and effectively respond to challenges, the Paper referred to activities of the Self-Defence Forces toward the issues, namely ensuring security of sea and airspace surrounding Japan; defence of seas and islands; response to ballistic missile attacks; natural disasters and dispatching Japanese people abroad.
For strengthening of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, the Paper confirmed the security institution is the cornerstone for both Japan’s security and the Japan-U.S. alliance for the sake of peace and prosperity of Japan, Asia-Pacific region, and the world. Thus, Japan supposed that the U.S. should maintain the status quo and strengthen its engagement and presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan also considers the strengthening of Japan-U.S. alliance as an ever important element. Accordingly, the Japan-U.S. will enhance training, deterrence, and capabilities to respond to challenges. The Paper affirms that the stationing of the U.S. Forces in Japan is the pivotal element of the Japan-U.S. security institution, and their profound engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.
Tokyo believes that promotion of cooperation and multilateral security dialogue in the Asia-Pacific region is consistent with Japan’s pacifism, and aims to create a “multi-layered cooperation network” with countries, including the Japan-U.S. alliance. Promotion of cooperation and dialogue consists of enhancement of countermeasures against pirates; strengthened cooperation in peace-keeping, rescue and relief, and disarment management.
4. Basis to demonstrate Japan’s defence capabilities.
This part is completely new in comparison with Japan’s 2013 Defence White Paper. Accordingly, Japan will focus on improving its internal capabilities to produce military equipment; enhancing R&D, and promoting cooperation with other countries. Additionally, the Paper also said that Japan would increase its fairness and transparency in the acquisition of defence equipment and materials; applying 3 principles of defence equipment tranfer; combining military and civilian resources in an effort to maintain and strengthen production and defence technical facilities. Regarding manpower, the Paper stated that Japan would further enhance the recruitment of staff for the Ministry of Defence and armed forces; at the same time, well train, educate, effectively use manpower, and improve connection between the Ministry of Defence, armed forces and social organizations and the people so as to bring into play defence strength.
As usual, the 2014 Defence White Paper of Japan faced response from a number of countries, particularly from China. Chinese Ministry of Defence quickly accused Japan of hyping up the threat from China’s Army to make a readjustment of its military policies. According to China’s security analysts, Japan’s Defence Paper denotes Abe’s administration’s efforts to make Japan a regional military power. China also noted that it will not have any bilateral summits with Japan unless Tokyo admits disputes over Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe no longer visits Yasukuni shrine.
However, Japan-China relations are getting better. On Nov 8th, 2014 Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, in Beijing, agreed to boost bilateral cooperation. Earlier, Japan and China announced a four-point agreement to improve bilateral ties. In which, the two sides agreed to resume political, diplomatic, security, and economic dialogue. The two countries also acknowledged the “existence of different positions” on Senkaku/Diaoyutai islands; however, they would have measures to restore trust and decrease tensions.
It is too early to say that Japan-China ties will completely be normal in the near future, but there is globally thought that the warming of their bilateral relations is a good condition for their cooperation, for each country’s national interests and for a peaceful, stable, and developed Asia- Pacific region. Whenever there are threats and the use of force in disputes, there exist the posibility of war and conflict in the region. Negotiation on the basis of international law is the best way for Japan and China to resolve disputes and for all countries to deal with their existing disputes over sovereignty and territory.
Duc Le