Operation Freedom of Navigation

After months of waiting, United States stood up to China to show its determination in maintaining its influential power in South China Sea, partly where China had been asserting its sovereignty. A guided missile destroyer, U.S.S. Lassen, calmly sneaked into a sea area around the reefs that China claimed to be its territory. While United States stressed freedom of navigation with denial of China’s assertion, China denounced U.S. as violating its sovereignty. Japan is closely watching how the situation will affect its security.

Japanese media calls the U.S. patrol Operation Freedom of Navigation. They reported that U.S.S. Lassen went through the seawater located within 12 nautical miles from Subi Reef where China was constructing airport with a 3,000 meter-long runway. Lassen is a destroyer belonging to U.S. 7^th Fleet stationing in Yokosuka, Japan. It is predicted that U.S. will continue its patrol to make fait accompli that the sea area does not belong to China.

Prior to other media, Asahi Shimbun reported U.S. decision to send its ship or aircraft to the area a week ago. The decision was regarded as based on frustration of President Barack Obama in the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month, in which Xi insisted on Chinese sovereignty over the reefs in South China Sea. It should be a preemptive measure of U.S. to maintain rule of international law before China establishes a control to that region.

The most important point for Japan is not about freedom of navigation, but the impact on security of Japan. Japanese Diet passed new security laws, which would enable Japanese Self-defense Force supporting U.S. operation, if the situation would crucially affect Japan’s existence. “We have closely been exchanging information with U.S.,” told Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, with positive recognition for U.S. action.

It is likely that U.S. government expects Japan’s help for the patrol. But, what Japan can do for it is not clear. One of the possible supports is sending P-3C patrol aircraft to South China Sea. Still, there is a negative opinion in Self-defense Force that worries about weakening of patrol in Senkaku Islands where Chinese ships are sticking around. On the other hand, some argue necessity to support in South China Sea to secure U.S. support in Senkakus.

Business sector cares about energy security. It is possible that Japanese tanker cannot pass South China Sea, if opposition between U.S. and China escalated. “I hope no occasional collision or accident happens. Security must be kept, because all ships of Northeast Asian countries, not only Japan, passes the sea area,” told Chairman of Japan Business Federation, Sadayuki Sakakibara. While businesses leaders support war-approaching Shinzo Abe administration, they are negative in approaching war by themselves.