South China Sea, Hormuz Strait and North Korea

The discussion over new security legislature started in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Overall questions from the opposites were about what Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expected Japanese Self-defense Force to do in foreign territories. As far as Abe’s answer was concerned, new legislatures were designed to make JSDF possible to use force in South China Sea, Persian Gulf and North Korea.

Abe has been trying to persuade the public by emphasizing necessity for new legal mandate for dealing with current change of international security environment. In the discussion at the plenary meeting of the House, Abe referred to China as an element for tighter security readiness in addition to North Korea. He raised “China’s promotion and activities in East and South China Sea” as an example of the environmental change.

Introduction of new concept called “situation of important influence” was to get rid of limitation of JSDF’s operation to the area around Japan. Recognizing confrontation in South China Sea as immediate threat to Japan, Abe administration assumes to deploy JSDF to the region as support for concerted effort to deal with Chinese advance to the Pacific Ocean. Abe is becoming non-hesitant on taking advantage of “China threat” for his political agenda.

With expansion of JSDF’s activity, the legislature will allow JSDF going to Hormuz Strait for removing floating mines. To justify such operation, Abe employed strange reasoning that Japan would be in serious crisis for its existence when transportation of crude oil would be blocked in Persian Gulf. He insists that he will send JSDF to Hormuz Strait to protect people’s right for life, liberty or pursuit of happiness. But what he is really doing is simply support U.S. Force in the region, accepting request from U.S.

Minister of Defense, Gen Nakatani, admitted a possibility of striking missile arsenal, if Japan would realize immediate threat from there. The reasoning of it is also based on a concept of protecting people’s lives. The most likely nation that may launch missile toward Japan is apparently North Korea. However, that concept will fundamentally overturn the traditional definition of JSDF, which has been regarded as military organization not for offense but only for defending Japan.

Japan’s attitude has already stimulated China. The White Paper of Chinese Military acknowledges possible military collision in South China Sea. It is clear that arms race is ongoing in East Asian region. Although the responsibility is on the side of China, Japan looks to be willing to joining it. United States welcomes it, because it cannot handle the situation in East Asia by itself. Japan does not realize that and heavily relying on U.S. military capability. If China miscalculate it, tragic consequence will be brought.