Complex and Strange

Japan looks like creating a world wide web of security ties with countries with shared values or interests. The first meeting between foreign and defense ministers of Japan and France in Paris on Thursday made France the fourth country two plus two talk, following the same frameworks already made with the United States, Australia and Russia. While Japan considers the talk with France working for countering Chinese assertion in East China Sea, France may not necessarily share the same outlook. Well, Europe is so complex and strange.

The foreign and defense ministers of both countries agreed with establishing two committees between them, which were for cooperation in military procurement and for export control mechanism. It was based on concerns of the both about export of military technologies to the third party that has problem in terms of security of Japan or France.

To send a message to China, Japan insisted to share a common recognition that it was China who had been disturbing peace and security in East China Sea. Japan was successful in reaching an agreement with France, which paid respect to freedom of aviation over international sea and exclusive economic zone, concerning China’s action to set new air defense identification zone over East China Sea.

However, Japan has been frustrated with the export of a devise of helicopter for landing ships by French private corporation, because it might be enhancing China’s military capability namely in the ships cruising around Senkaku Islands. The establishment of military procurement committee was to control such contracts with China.

In the press conference after the two plus two meeting, French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Laurent Fabius, stressed that the devise was not listed in the embargoed materials of European Union against China. “It was for public use with no harm,” told Fabius. France recognizes the committee as a meeting for explaining exporting processes, not for discussing them.

For the French, the biggest benefit of two plus two with Japan is cooperation in business and technology. They may expect to introduce high technologies from Japan that can be shared with America. But it would not be welcomed for France, if the closer relationship would restrain their business with another crucial economic partner, China. France is likely to balance the relationship between Japan and China.

The key for Japan is whether the cooperative framework with France will work as leverage for China. If they see this relationship as simply based on economic benefit, the Chinese will counteract with further positive economic activities toward Europe. In spite of necessity for Japan to develop the relationship with Europe to the extent of value-oriented cooperation, its leader insisted on visiting a disputed shrine driven by  his own ideology.