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Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Japan expands military push against China with US stand in doubt
Japan has also increased its military budget and the tempo of its naval exercises as far away as the Indian Ocean and South China Sea. PHOTO: REUTERS Japan expands military push against China with US stand in doubt TOKYO – Japan is stepping up efforts to deter China's military ambitions in the Asia-Pacific as Tokyo and other US partners seek clarity from the Trump administration about its plans to counter Beijing's power in the region. For the first time, Japan sent destroyers through the Taiwan Strait on two occasions in recent months, according to a person familiar with the operations, a sign of its willingness to directly challenge China over the waterway and the self-governing island it claims as its own. Japan has also increased its military budget and the tempo of its naval exercises as far away as the Indian Ocean and South China Sea, a region Beijing claims almost complete control over but which is a vital trade route for the global economy. 'When I was younger and even in the first decade of this century, we used to stay close to Japan's shores,' said Mr Katsuya Yamamoto, a retired rear admiral in Japan's Maritime Self-Defence Force. 'Now the world has changed, and the Japanese people accept that we can't just passively allow China's actions.' It's not just Japan taking note. China's assertiveness has alarmed many governments: Beijing has in recent years ramped up aerial and naval deployments around Taiwan, repeatedly confronted Philippine vessels around disputed islands and shoals and sent warships into international waters off the coast of Sydney. Those actions and the response in Asia will be one point of discussion for military leaders meeting in Singapore starting May 30 for the Shangri-La Dialogue. The annual gathering typically includes high-level officials from China and the US. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to give a speech on May 31 at the event. While Japan has for decades been wary of foreign military entanglements, in part due to a World War II-era Constitution that bars the use of force to settle disputes, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and a Chinese missile barrage over Taiwan in 2022 marked a turning point. Now Tokyo is doing more to boost defence ties with regional partners such as the Philippines and Australia, just as Mr Trump raises questions about the US commitment to historic alliances. The US president has said Japan and South Korea don't pay the US enough for basing American troops in their countries, and has been ambiguous about his support for Taiwan if it came under attack. Chinese warnings Japan can't afford that ambiguity. The most southerly of Japan's islands is just 113km from Taiwan, and Tokyo fears it could be drawn into any conflict over the archipelago that China views as its territory. Beijing regularly warns against Japanese military activity in the region. After Japanese news outlets reported the transit of a Japanese destroyer through the Taiwan Strait in February, Mr Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defence, said: 'China respects the navigation rights of all countries under international law, but firmly opposes any country creating trouble in the Taiwan Strait, infringing upon China's sovereignty and security, and sending wrong signals to the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces.' Opinion polls show growing support in Japan for a more visible role for the Self-Defence Forces, as the military is known. Yet the scale of the challenge is daunting. While China's actual defence spending is unclear, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimates it spent around US$314 billion (S$406.55 billion) on its military in 2024, about half of all defence spending in Asia and Oceania. Largely in response, Japan is raising defence spending more rapidly than at any time in recent decades. In 2022, Tokyo pledged ¥43 trillion (S$382 billion) to a military build-up that would span five years and lift defence spending to roughly 2 per cent of gross domestic product from just over 1 per cent. Total defence-related spending this fiscal year is set to reach ¥9.9 trillion, including funds to develop a network of satellites to improve the detection of incoming missiles. Japan has also begun taking delivery of 147 US-built F-35 Lightning II jets, the world's most advanced stealth fighter. Those F-35s will be equipped with long-range cruise missiles that could hit targets in China from hundreds of miles away. Tokyo is also developing long-range missiles that could be deployed at a string of military bases along its south-west island chain. So-called 'stand-off' missile capabilities are core to a defence strategy adopted in 2022 to threaten Chinese military bases that could be used against Japan. The same year, Japan was shaken when China launched missiles over Taiwan that landed in the sea in Japan's exclusive economic zone after a visit to Taipei by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The missiles added to anxieties that Beijing might target Japan and US military bases in the country as part of any attempt to seize Taiwan. 'Bitter experience' Japan has also felt pressure from heightened Chinese coast guard and military activity around uninhabited islands that Tokyo controls in the East China Sea. 'The desire to avoid conflict after the bitter experience of World War II made Japan allergic to possessing weapons. More people understand now that simply having them can demoralize and deter the enemy,' said Ms Misa Sakurabayashi, a security analyst based in Tokyo who has advised the government on defence issues. China says it wants to resolve the Taiwan issue peacefully, but hasn't ruled out the use of force. In addition to developing its own capabilities, Japan has been working with other Asian democracies to bolster collective deterrence. In 2023, it created a new category of foreign aid called official security assistance to fund military investments, primarily in Asia. On a visit to Manila earlier in 2025, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr agreed to begin talks on sharing some basic military supplies. The two countries signed a deal to ease border controls to facilitate more military training in 2024. The Philippines and Japan are also discussing sharing real-time military intelligence in an arrangement similar to one Japan has with South Korea. On a visit to Tokyo in March, Mr Hegseth said the US will 're-build' deterrence against China with allies including Japan. He pledged to follow through on Biden administration plans to establish a new military command centre in Japan and said he'll deploy more advanced capabilities to the Philippines. At the same time, Mr Trump has criticised the US-Japan Security Treaty, saying it's a better deal for Tokyo than Washington. Japan, meanwhile, has made its own calculation that it has to send a clear message to China, according to Mr Kocihi Isobe, a retired lieutenant general in Japan's Ground Self-Defence Force. 'If deterrence fails, the price to pay will be very high,' he said. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Observer
22-02-2025
- Business
- Observer
Celebrating Japan-Oman ties on Emperor's birthday
It is with profound respect and warm regards that I extend my greetings to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and the people of Oman on the occasion of the 65th birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, celebrated on February 23. The bond between Japan and Oman is a testament to the enduring strength of our relationship, grounded in mutual respect, understanding, and trust. This enduring partnership transcends not only historical and diplomatic ties but also reflects the close rapport shared by our imperial and royal families. As the Japanese community in Oman expresses its deep admiration and respect for His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, we also extend our heartfelt wishes for the continued prosperity of His Majesty, whose visionary leadership propels Oman's progress. The Japan-Oman relationship holds great significance, with over five decades of collaboration marked by enduring ties. While Oman has broadened its engagement across Asia, its relationship with Japan remains distinctive and unparalleled. We eagerly look forward to further opportunities for royal and imperial visits, which will deepen our shared history and open new paths for cooperation. Maritime security remains a cornerstone of collaboration between Japan and Oman. As maritime nations, both countries understand the critical importance of this domain, particularly in the complex regional landscape. Japan's Maritime Self-Defence Force plays an active role in the region, and Oman continues to be a trusted partner. The recent Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat further underscored the importance of this partnership, with Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs actively engaging in discussions on maritime security. Celebrating Japan-Oman ties on Emperor's birthday Cultural ties between our nations continue to thrive. Last year, Japanese manga artists, invited by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth, engaged with Omani audiences, fostering artistic exchange. The Oman Japan Friendship Association (OJFA) recently hosted a Japanese orchestra at the Royal Opera House Muscat, further solidifying the cultural bonds between our nations. Additionally, the OJFA plays a key role in advancing Japanese language education in Oman, with exceptional leadership from Chairman Sheikh Abdullah Mohamed Bahwan and the enduring contributions of Sheikh Mohammed Saud Bahwan. The 'Ship for World Youth (SWY) Committee – Oman' has been instrumental in nurturing people-to-people connections. Through initiatives such as Oman-Japan Day and SWY Weekend, this committee continues to strengthen ties among young leaders from both countries. In sports and business, our partnership continues to flourish. The MICE sector has enabled exchanges in sports such as table tennis, hockey, and golf, allowing Japanese athletes to experience the rich culture of Oman firsthand. Economically, Japan has been a valued partner in Oman's energy sector for over 50 years. As both nations pivot toward green energy, Japan is proud to support Oman's leadership in hydrogen projects. With eight major hydrogen initiatives underway, Japan is actively involved in two of these groundbreaking ventures. Oman's proactive participation in Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, under the leadership of His Highness Sayyid Theyazin, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth, will further enhance business cooperation across multiple sectors. On this momentous occasion, I extend my deepest gratitude to all those who contribute to the strengthening of Japan-Oman relations. I also convey my sincerest wishes for the continued success and prosperity of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and the people of Oman.
