Japan’s concern has increased due to China’s stand on Taiwan
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has condemned China’s ongoing military exercises near Taiwan and called it a “big problem”. The Prime Minister has also considered China’s aggressive attitude to be a major threat to Japan’s regional peace and security.
In fact, after US Congress Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, China has been conducting military exercises by encircling Taiwan since August 4. It has fired several ballistic missiles. Five of these missiles have also fallen in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Japan. After which the Japanese Prime Minister demanded from China to immediately cancel the military exercise.
However it had no effect. In such a situation, not only Taiwan, but also Japan’s concerns have increased due to China’s action. The Japanese Prime Minister has clearly stated that China’s actions have had a serious impact on the peace and stability of their region, the international community.
In the Japanese media too, many things are being written on China’s military action and the challenges facing the country’s internal security.
Pacifist constitution challenge
However, security in Japan has been a divisive issue. After losing World War II, Japan adopted a pacifist constitution at the behest of the US, and in return, the US took responsibility for Japan’s security.
Under Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan, it can never use military power to settle its dispute with any country. At the same time, it can neither maintain an army nor prepare military equipment, but since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, concerns have risen about Chinese military activities in Taiwan and Japan.
Concern has also increased about the extent to which the US will help if a conflict situation arises between China and Japan. In view of these concerns, Japan’s defense budget has steadily increased over the years. At the same time, discussions have intensified regarding increasing military strength.
Increased concern about security in ASEAN countries
Nikkei Asia in its report has talked about the security challenges of ASEAN countries amid Taiwan tensions. It has been claimed in the report that the way China has expressed its response after Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, it has raised concerns about security in ASEAN countries.
This is the reason why the issue of Taiwan dominated the meeting of foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Cambodia on Friday. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken rubbished China’s reaction to Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, saying Pelosi’s visit was peaceful. This response of China, in the form of military exercise, cannot be justified from anywhere.
On the fall of a Chinese missile in Japan’s economic zone, Blinken said the US “stands firmly” with Japan in the face of “dangerous actions by China”.
Military exercise became a cause for concern
According to an article published in the British daily newspaper ‘The Guardian’, China’s military exercises near Japan’s outer southern islands remain a cause of concern for the country. The islands near which China is conducting military exercises include Yonaguni, which is just 100 km (62 mi) from Taiwan, and Senkakus.
Senkakus is an island administered by Japan, but claimed by both China and Taiwan. China is Japan’s largest trading partner, but both countries are at loggerheads over the issue of Senkakus. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has pledged to double military spending to 2% of GDP, citing growing threats from China and nuclear-armed North Korea.
Japan’s Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi has opposed the Chinese missiles that fell into the country’s exclusive economic zone, saying it “endangers Japan’s national security and the lives of the Japanese people. We strongly condemn this”.
