Making the Pacific Ocean a free and open sea -- in order to realize this, it is important for the government to support the self-sustained development of island nations and develop the relationship of trust, which is firmer than it has ever been.
Attended by leaders from 19 countries and territories, including Japan and Samoa, the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting was held in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture. Held triannually since 1997, the summit marked the eighth such gathering of Pacific leaders.
Most of the island nations are pro-Japanese and are important partners that exhibit an understanding of Japan's position at such gatherings as the United Nations. It is important to make the best use of an occasion in which national leaders gather and aim to build confidence. It is also indispensable to cooperate with Australia and New Zealand, both of which attended the summit.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at a joint press announcement that Japan will "push forward fine-tuned assistance both in soft and hard terms." He emphasized his idea of actively tackling human resources development on the island nations.
Common challenges the island nations face include how to deal with such natural hazards as typhoons and tsunamis, as well as global warming. The government should advance multifaceted cooperation such as development of ports and promotion of renewable energy. It is essential for the government to join hands with business enterprises and nongovernmental organizations.
At the summit, the leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in maritime areas.
The leaders decided to together advance their efforts to implement measures against North Korea's ship-to-ship transfers, through which North Korean vessels smuggle refined petroleum products and other resources at sea. The island nations will make such efforts as deregistering North Korean vessels currently flagged on their registers. The effectiveness of such efforts must be enhanced.
Adopt regional strategy
With vast exclusive economic zones, the island nations have gained importance as they are positioned along sea-lanes.
The "free and open Indo-Pacific strategy," which Japan and the United States advocate, attaches importance to the rule of law and the market economy, and strives for regional stability and prosperity. Such concepts should also be promoted in the South Pacific Ocean.
China and Taiwan have aggressively advanced their aid diplomacy among the island nations. In recent years, China has rapidly increased its presence.
The opaqueness of Chinese aid, in such terms as its conditions of implementations and the amount of assistance, is problematic. Some have pointed out that the aid is adversely impacting the fiscal management of island nations by excessively developing infrastructure without regard to demand.
Tonga, which had improved its roads and other infrastructure with China's aid, has ended up burdened with a sizable amount of debt to China. There are also such countries concerned with the environmental destruction caused by a rapid rise in the number of Chinese tourists.
If development is promoted in the nations and territories coercively, without taking into account their real situations, sustainable development cannot be expected. Such development could even become a factor in regional instability.
The government should implement effective assistance measures that can contribute to the growth of the island nations while paying attention to Chinese moves.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 20, 2018)
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