Security risks must also be taken into consideration when building communications networks, which are the foundation of society and the economy. Avoiding excessive dependence on Chinese companies is a common challenge for Japan, the United States and Europe.
Regarding the business of the 5G next-generation communications standard that enables high-speed and large-capacity communications, differences in views have become more conspicuous between the United States, which has been calling for the exclusion of products from China's telecom equipment giant Huawei Technologies Co., and major European countries, which are leaning toward allowing them.
With Huawei in mind, Britain has decided to exclude products of "high-risk vendors" from the core 5G network for gathering and processing information. On the other hand, the country plans to allow them to be used in the nonessential parts of the network such as base stations, by limiting their market share to no more than 35%.
The British government stresses that this measure does not harm security. It also said there would be no adverse impact on the Five Eyes framework in which the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand share military intelligence.
However, the United States has been asking its allies for an outright ban on Huawei. The fact that Britain did not respond to repeated U.S. attempts for persuasion must be a blow to Washington.
Back Japanese firms
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper warned European countries at the recent Munich Security Conference, saying in a stern tone that reliance on Chinese 5G vendors "could also jeopardize our communication and intelligence sharing capabilities, and by extension, our alliances."
The United States is wary of the Chinese government stealing classified information from other countries through Huawei and other Chinese companies. Given Beijing's opaque relations with these firms, it is understandable that Washington is calling for the formation of a coalition against Huawei.
In Europe, in addition to Britain, France and other countries have said they will not ban Huawei. Products of the maker are already widely used in European 4G networks, and for these countries, the emphasis on economic relations with Beijing, such as through huge investment and trade, seems to be on their mind.
As European countries are geographically far away from China, they do not regard the country as a serious threat and often tend to strike a balance between the United States and China. If Europe does not exclude Huawei, it must be vigilant in monitoring the security of its communications networks.
In line with the United States, Japan virtually excludes Huawei products from government procurement. In response to the government's policy, major telecommunications companies are proceeding with the construction of 5G networks using products other than Huawei, but there is no denying that they are falling behind.
How will Japan develop its 5G network while preventing a China-led 5G order? The government needs long-term strategies, such as policies to support Japanese companies' research and development and preferential tax measures.
-- This article appeared in the print version of The Yomiuri Shimbun on Feb. 22, 2020.
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