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East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 31 July 2024, Wednesday | Vol.1 No. 136

US upgrades military command in Japan amid rising regional tensions

Chinese Foreign Ministry summons Japanese diplomat comments on China at international platform

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 31 July 2024, Wednesday | Vol.1 No. 136
Chinese Foreign Ministry summons Japanese diplomat comments on China at international platform
On 30 July, Chinese Department of Asian Affairs of Chinese Foreign Ministry, summoned a senior Japanese diplomat voicing “serious concern and strong dissatisfaction.” This was over Tokyo’s recent remarks about China. The director-general of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Liu Jinsong rebuked Japan for its comments at several international meetings, stating that they undermined the strategic reciprocal relationship. He urged Japan to “cease interference in China's internal affairs” and halt collaborations with other countries that foster confrontation. Liu called for Japan to honor the political foundation of their bilateral ties. Yokochi Akira from the Japanese Embassy in return reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to the 1972 Japan-China Joint Statement and expressed a desire to advance their strategic relationship. (“China urges Japan to stop meddling in its internal affairs,” CGTN, 31 July 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 29 July 2024, Monday | Vol.1 No. 134
US upgrades military command in Japan amid rising regional tensions
On 28 July, the United States announced a significant overhaul of its military command in Japan this was aimed to enhance defence cooperation in response to perceived challenges from China. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin described this as “the most significant change to US Forces Japan since its creation,” upgrading it to a joint force headquarters with expanded responsibilities. This move comes as both nations express concerns about China’s growing influence and North Korea’s nuclear program. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa emphasized the critical need to “strengthen our alliance and enhance the deterrence.” The decision follows Russia’s commitment to strengthen military ties with North Korea, adding to regional complexities. The US-Japan joint statement criticised China's foreign policy stating it “seeks to reshape the international order for its benefit.” While Austin clarified the upgrade was not based on any specific threat from China, it reflects a desire for closer alliance cooperation. Japan has also shifted its defense stance, planning to double its defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP. (“US to revamp military command in Japan amid China’s threats,” Aljazeera, 28 July 2024)

Japan accelerates missile development to bolster defence capabilities, reports SCMP
On 28 July, SCMP reported that Japan is fast-tracking its missile development program. It is set for deployment in 2024 with the upgraded Type-12 surface-to-ship missile a year ahead of schedule. Defence Minister Minoru Kihara cited a “severe and complex security environment” as the impetus for this acceleration, particularly noting China’s military expansion. The enhanced Type-12 missile dubbed a “ship killer” is reported to have a potential range of 900 km extendable to 1,500 km. This range would allow strikes near the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands and potentially northern Taiwan. Japan is also advancing its hypersonic weapons programme, with delivery expected by 2026. The country has ordered 400 US-made Tomahawk missiles, set to arrive in 2025, further boosting its stand-off capabilities. These developments mark a significant shift in Japan’s defence posture. As Kihara said Japan aims to “acquire various types of stand-off missiles earlier than originally planned.” Despite its post-World War II pacifist constitution, Japan is rapidly expanding its offensive arsenal, citing threats from China, North Korea, and Russia. This strategic pivot underscores Japan's commitment to “fundamentally reinforce its stand-off defense capabilities.” (Liu Zhen, “Japan to deploy ‘ship killer’ missiles a year early, cites China among security threats,” South China Morning Post, 28 July 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 27 July 2024, Saturday | Vol.1 No. 133
China-Japan relations at crossroads amid regional tensions, says Chinese Foreign Minister
On 26 July, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned that China-Japan relations are at a “critical stage” during talks with his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa, in Laos. Wang urged Japan to take an “objective and correct” view of China, emphasising the need to safeguard their relationship's political foundations. The meeting addressed several contentious issues, including Japan's semiconductor export restrictions and China’s ban on Japanese seafood imports following the Fukushima water release. Kamikawa expressed concerns about China’s military activities and human rights issues while reiterating the importance of Taiwan Strait stability. (Orange Wang, “Chinese foreign minister warns relations with Japan risk going backwards,” South China Morning Post, 26 July 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 26 July 2024, Friday | Vol.1 No. 132
Japan’s controversial Sado Mine poised for UNESCO World Heritage status
On 26 July, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is set to consider the inclusion of Japan’s Sado Island gold and silver mine complex as a World Heritage Site. This decision comes despite the site’s contentious historical links to South Korean forced labor trauma during wartime. Initially, the International Council on Monuments and Sites recommended referring the nomination back to Japan, requesting further clarification on the mine’s complete history, including its modern era marked by war atrocities. However, following diplomatic discussions between Japan and South Korea, progress has been made. South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Japan has committed to presenting a comprehensive historical account of the mine. (Kim Han-joo, “Japan's Sado mine expected to be listed as UNESCO heritage: Seoul's foreign ministry,” Yonhap News Agency, 26 July 2024)

Germany-Japan to strengthen military ties with joint air exercise
On 25 July, Germany and Japan concluded their first-ever bilateral fighter aircraft exercise “Nippon Skies,” in Hokkaido. The four-day drill involved German Euro fighters and Japanese F-15 jets which aimed at improving tactical skills and fostering mutual understanding. German Air Force Chief Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz described the exercise as a “significant step toward even more cooperation,” emphasizing that European and Indo-Pacific security were “inseparable.” The exercise follows a defense pact signed in January, facilitating logistical support and shared use of military facilities. It's part of a broader trend of intensifying defence collaborations between Japan and European nations, particularly NATO members, amid shared concerns over global security challenges. Defence Minister Minoru Kihara highlighted that such engagements improve Japan’s tactical skills and “help realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region.” (Gabriel Dominguez, “Japan and Germany elevate ties with first joint fighter exercise,” The Japan Times, 25 July 2024)

Brazilian amnesty commission issues apology to Japanese immigrants
On 25 July, the Brazilian amnesty commission chair, Enea Almeida announced that the Brazilian government accepted its “wrongdoing in persecuting Japanese immigrants” and issued an apology. This development comes as a group of Japanese Brazilians linked to the Okinawa Prefecture “demanded that Brasilia give an apology.” Japanese Brazilian Marion Jun Okuhara opined that while an “apology” will not “erase terrible acts towards his grandparents and parents,” it would assist in preventing such “atrocities” from repeating. Soon after WWII, about 170 Japanese were deported to a remote island as they were considered “security threats.” The Japanese Brazilian community has not called for financial compensation but has demanded “that the apology should cover the forced removal of Japanese immigrants.” (Jiji, “Brazil issues apology for persecuting Japan immigrants during WWII”, The Japan Times, 25 July 2024)

Heavy rainfalls hit the northern region of Japan
On 26 July, The Japan Times reported that the Tohoku region experienced its heaviest rainfall, causing one death, three missing, and thousands displaced. The rains started “hammering” northern Shonai and Mogami regions in Yamagata prefecture on 23 July. On 26 July, at least 6,200 residents in Yamagata Prefecture were “evacuated to emergency shelter” at 0100 hours and 426 in Akita Prefecture at 0300 hours. On the same day, according to the Yamagata Meteorological Office the “record-breaking rainfall” caused the Mohali River to"swell" and overflow. Additionally, the Tohoku Electric Power Network announced that as of 1100 hours, 2760 households in Yamagata Prefecture, Akita Prefecture, and Fukushima Prefecture are without power. (Jessica Speed, “One dead, three missing as heavy rain batters Tohoku”, The Japan Times, 26 July 2024)

East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 25 July 2024, Thursday | Vol.1 No. 131
Japanese population falls by 0.7 per cent for the 15th year
On 24 July, government data revealed that the number of Japanese residents has fallen by 0.7 per cent or 861,237 as of 01 January. This marks the “steepest decline” and for the 15th consecutive year. Though Tokyo’s raised by 3,933 or 0.3 per cent, for the first time in 3 years, the 46 other prefectures experienced a continued decline. While the total Japanese population is 121,561,801, the number of foreign residents has risen to 3,323,374. This is a rise of 11.0 per cent. (“Japanese population falls by record 861,237,” The Japan Times, 24 July 2024)

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