The security environment in East Asia also could undergo a change in the future. It is essential for Japan and the United States to continue to confirm the significance of the bilateral alliance, which is based on the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has visited Tokyo and met with top Japanese government officials such as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera. The Onodera-Mattis conference was the third in recent months, following the ones held in Washington in April and in Hawaii in May. This is laudable as proof of the close relationship between the two countries.
During their meeting, Onodera and Mattis have agreed to call for North Korea to dismantle all its weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear arms, and abandon its ballistic missiles of all ranges in a complete, irreversible and verifiable manner.
North Korea has deployed several hundreds of medium- and short-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching Japan. Japan-U.S. joint efforts are called for to eliminate threats from the North.
The government eyes the possibility of removing surface-to-air PAC-3 guided missiles for dealing with the North's missiles, deployed in the Chugoku and Shikoku districts and elsewhere. As long as dialogue continues between Washington and Pyongyang, it could be said that downgrading the alert level is reasonable.
How to confront China, the world's second biggest economy that has been seeking to become a strong military power? This is a long-term challenge that must be tackled by Japan with utmost priority.
Onodera and Mattis have confirmed the application of Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, which stipulates the U.S. obligation to help defend Japan in times of an armed attack, in the defense of Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. Against the backdrop of Chinese government vessels' intrusion into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkakus becoming routine, it is significant that Onodera and Mattis have shared the recognition of the treaty's application.
Enhance joint capabilities
At a news conference held after the meeting with Onodera, Mattis emphasized the U.S. determination to help defend Japan, saying, "Our commitment to this [U.S.-Japan] alliance remains ironclad with a long-term ally."
China has been pushing ahead with the militarization of artificial islands it has built in the South China Sea. In a vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, the activities of China's aircraft carrier and bombers are also conspicuous.
Japan-U.S. cooperation is indispensable to urge China to exercise self-restraint and for the protection of free and open seas.
During a meeting with Mattis, Prime Minister Abe said, "The Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone for not only the peace and security of Japan but also regional prosperity." The alliance should be bolstered to enhance deterrence against China.
U.S. President Donald Trump has apparently been prioritizing the domestic economy rather than alliances with other countries. As a result, anxiety has been prevailing among U.S. allies. It is of no small significance that the defense ministers of Japan and the United States have confirmed cooperation between the U.S. military and Self-Defense Forces, among other things.
In their meeting, Onodera and Mattis have confirmed that Japan-U.S. joint exercises will be conducted steadily. It is necessary for the two countries to work toward boosting their joint response capability.
Expansion of the SDF's roles in the protection of U.S. military vessels and other operations based on security-related laws could lead to the United States tackling the protection of Japan in more earnestness. Interactive cooperation should be deepened.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 30, 2018)
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