[Epoch Times, July 3, 2022](The Epoch Times Special Report Reporter Dongfang Hao Comprehensive Report) Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated at the G7 summit to increase defense spending and thoroughly strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities; then with the leaders of the United States and South Korea during the NATO summit The talks confirmed the joint response to the North Korean nuclear threat and the expansion of the Chinese Communist Party. At the same time, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the US aircraft carriers and bombers carried out intensive joint military exercises, and sent ships to participate in the joint Pacific Rim exercise. Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi held talks with ASEAN defense ministers to strengthen cooperation to contain the CCP.
Kishida’s G7 summit statement: increase defense spending to thoroughly strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities
According to a source from the Japanese government, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on the afternoon of June 26 when he attended the G7 summit (G7 summit) at the Ellmau Palace in southern Germany that defense spending would be increased to a considerable extent. Completely strengthen Japan’s defense within this year. Kishida also condemned the CCP for advancing gas field development in the East China Sea, saying that “unilateral forces are not allowed to change the status quo.”
The heads of state used dinner time on June 26 to discuss the areas of diplomacy and security. Regarding the CCP and North Korea, Kishida stressed that “the emergence of countries that draw wrong lessons from the situation in Ukraine must be avoided.” He said that by the end of the year, he will revise the “National Security Strategy,” a long-term guideline for foreign and security policies, and strengthen cooperation between the Japan-US alliance and related countries.
Kishida also pointed out the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and called for enhanced security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
U.S.-Japan-South Korea summit confirms joint response to North Korea nuclear threat
On June 29, Fumio Kishida held talks with U.S. President Biden and South Korean President Yoon Sek-yue in Madrid, Spain, and reached an agreement on the complete denuclearization of North Korea to strengthen cooperation; to reach a consensus. This is the first summit meeting between the three countries since September 2017 after a lapse of about five years.
According to Kyodo News, in addition to responding to North Korea’s development of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, the leaders of Japan, the United States, and South Korea also expressed solidarity in response to China’s expansion.
During the meeting, Kishida emphasized: “We are seriously concerned about provocations from North Korea, including nuclear tests, and it is indispensable to strengthen cooperation between Japan, the United States, and South Korea.” Biden said that the United States‘ defense obligations to Japan and South Korea will not waver, “to achieve complete freedom on the Korean Peninsula. The two common goals of nuclearization and a free and open Indo-Pacific region require cooperation among the three countries.”
Yin Xiyue pointed out that North Korea’s nuclear threat is increasing and the importance of trilateral cooperation is rising. “It is expected that the cooperation between South Korea, the United States and Japan can be positioned as an important core aimed at realizing world peace and stability,” he said.
The heads of the three countries stated that they will speed up defense cooperation and resume the joint training of Japan, the United States and South Korea that has been suspended since December 2017.
Japan sends frigate to Hawaii for RIMPAC exercise
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force announced on June 28 that it will participate in the Rim of the Pacific Joint Exercise (RIMPAC) hosted by the U.S. Navy from June 29 to August 4. Two frigates “Izumo” and “Takaba” and one P-1 patrol aircraft will be dispatched to Hawaii and its surrounding waters to participate in missile shooting and other training.
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force will also cooperate with the Maritime Self-Defense Force to conduct anti-ship combat shooting training with the U.S. Army.
RIMPAC is the world‘s largest maritime exercise held every two years. This time, a total of 26 countries including Japan, the United States, Britain, France, Australia and South Korea participated. “To maintain and strengthen a free and open Indo-Pacific, (Japan and its allies) will demonstrate solidarity,” Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi emphasized at a press conference after the June 28 cabinet meeting.
Japan, the United States and Australia carry out joint training of large ships in the Pacific
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force announced on June 25 that it conducted three-nation joint tactical training with the U.S. Navy and the Australian Navy in the Pacific Ocean. From June 19 to 24, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force quasi-aircraft frigate “Izumo”, the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier “Abraham Lincoln”, and the Australian amphibious assault ship “Canberra” participated in the training.
The Japanese frigate “Takaba” also participated in the training. The “Izumo” and “High Wave” were sent on long-term missions from June to October this year to conduct training with various countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The U.S. military also sent four cruisers and destroyers, and Australia also sent one frigate and one supply ship each.
Japan’s Kyodo News reported that Japan, the United States and Australia have strengthened security cooperation in response to the CCP. This time, the large-scale ships are put into training to show the cooperative relationship.
Japan Air Self-Defense Force and U.S. bombers conduct joint training south of Okinawa
On June 22, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force conducted joint training with the U.S. B-1 strategic bomber over the Pacific Ocean south of Okinawa.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force sent two F-15 fighter jets from Naha Base to participate. Two U.S. B-1 strategic bombers from the 34th Bomb Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. The training content is the interception combat steps to shoot down enemy attack aircraft.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force also dispatched the Nanxi Air Security Control Group from the Naha base responsible for radar monitoring to participate. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force emphasized that the purpose of the training is to enhance the joint response capability of Japan and the United States.
Around Japan, it has recently been found that the Chinese and Russian ships and aircraft are frequently operating.
Japanese Defense Minister and ASEAN Defense Ministers Talk to Strengthen Relations to Contain the CCP
Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported that Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi held talks with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Diban in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, on June 21. In response to the CCP’s strengthening of maritime activities, Nobuo Kishi said that “unilateral forces are not allowed to change the status quo in any region.” Regarding the East China Sea and South China Sea issues, Japan is considering strengthening relations with Cambodia to contain the CCP.
Cambodia is the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2022. Cambodia and Japan were both co-sponsors of the UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, which Kishi spoke highly of at the start of the talks. As for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, ASEAN member states are not monolithic. For example, Myanmar supported Russia and Vietnam abstained from voting on the UN General Assembly resolution. Japan hopes to strengthen its criticism of Russia through Cambodia, the ASEAN chair.
Nobuo Kishi emphasized that “the security guarantees of Europe and Asia are inseparable.” He said that the same situation as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could occur in Asia, and “it is very important for the international community to respond in solidarity.”
On June 22, Nobuo Kishi held talks with ASEAN defense ministers in Phnom Penh. Nobuo Kishi once again warned that the CCP has frequent activities in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and “there may be situations where it can unilaterally change the status quo by virtue of its strength.” He re-emphasized the importance of forming a free and open maritime order in the Indo-Pacific region.
Nobuo Kishi said during the talks that Japan will provide equipment in the field of maritime security and deepen cooperative relations with ASEAN countries.
Responsible editor: Lian Shuhua#