Talk and Intimidation

After bitter blank for these two and half years, Japan and China resumed the talk on maritime and air crisis management mechanism. According to Japanese Minister of Defense, Gen Nakatani, both governments agreed on early launch of the talk in the discussion in Tokyo on Monday. After the nationalization of Senkaku Islands, the talk was interpreted with frustration on Chinese side. During the interval, the bilateral relationship has been deteriorated by territorial assertion or unilateral interpretation of history. It is not clear whether such a mechanism will work enough in this unfriendly diplomatic situation.

Shinzo Abe administration has been reluctant to receive internal image of giving in China in diplomacy, while being criticized as unable to improve the relationship. The resumption of the talk was a gospel for the government to appeal its effort. “It was a great step. With concrete consultation, we will make efforts for launching the operation as early as possible,” told Nakatani. Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, also welcomed the restart, saying that he was willing to urge dialogues in every level of both governments.

The mechanism is to share information in emergency between those two governments. Concerning active move of Chinese Navy vessels in East China Sea, both governments had the first joint working group in 2008. By the third meeting in 2012, the both agreed on having communication through fixed radio frequency in emergency like unusual approach of aircrafts and on settling a hotline between the officers in each Ministry of Defense. To determine the level of radio frequency and officers to talk in emergency was the main agenda for the fourth talk on Monday.

Even how the officers in Abe administration highlight the achievement, security situation between both countries has not improved. Not satisfied with intimidation by official ships of the sea patrol, China recently started sending military vessels around Senkaku. It is undeniable that China is building its capability for air-sea battle in the East China Sea.

Japanese government faces to Chinese assertion with competitive attitude. Abe is enthusiastic in legislation for security enhancement, going beyond post-war taboo of restricting collective self-defense. Intimidation to intimidation is the basic concept of his “positive pacifism.” As long as he maintains this line for security policy, it is likely that both nations are getting close to new cold war.