Defense Minister Taro Kono has been actively speaking via telephone with his counterparts in the Indo-Pacific region.
China has taken provocative actions even amid the spread of the new coronavirus, and Kono's actions are aimed at strengthening Japan's ties with countries concerned, bearing in mind the "post-coronavirus" security environment that will be increasingly severe.
Kono has held phone talks since April with his counterparts in eight countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, the United States, India, and Australia. Common subjects discussed were regional security situations and how to maintain and strengthen a free and open Indo-Pacific region; and the roles defense authorities should assume in the fight against the new coronavirus.
During his May 12 conversation with Delfin Lorenzana, the Philippine secretary of national defense, Kono emphasized, "It is important that countries with the same ideals cooperate, so as not to let the free and open international order be shaken."
Appearing on a BS TV Tokyo program that aired on May 17, Kono said, "It's absolutely unpardonable that China, backed by its power, has been trying to unilaterally change the status quo amid the coronavirus crisis." He then indicated his stance of continuing to hold China in check through the phone talks with countries concerned.
China is beefing up its military activities, with an eye on other countries preoccupied with their fight with the new coronavirus. In the East China Sea, the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning sailed between the main island of Okinawa and Miyako Island on April 11 and 28. In the South China Sea, China announced on April 18 its establishment of two new administrative districts that cover the Paracel Islands and Spratly Islands, both of which China is turning into military strongholds, thus touting its effective control over the two groups of islands.
In late April, a U.S. Navy warship conducted a "freedom of navigation operation" in waters near the two groups of islands, aimed partly at challenging China's claims in the South China Sea. There are no signs of the U.S.-China confrontation being brought under control, but the possibility is growing that the Indo-Pacific region may become unstable in the post-coronavirus period.
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