Japan’s defence moves ‘necessary’ amid growing China aggression in Taiwan Strait: analysts

Japan views tensions in the Taiwan Strait as ‘seriously destabilising’ to its own security as it relies on an open strait for safe passage of goods

Tokyo is pursuing a capability to respond to unilateral moves to change region’s status quo without escalating conflict, observers note

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Japan’s Ground Self-Defence Forces during a live fire exercise in Gotemba. Japan is expected to strengthen its military capabilities to deter China from escalating military activities. Photo: Pool via AP

Published: 11:00am, 4 Sep 2022

Japan’s moves to ensure its own security in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait could heighten tensions, but analysts say they are necessary to counter what is seen as growing Chinese assertiveness in staking its claims over the island.

Since US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August, China has conducted its largest military drills near the island in decades, while Taiwan’s defence ministry last week said it had detected several Chinese aircraft and ships in the area.

On Wednesday, Japan said it would develop and mass-produce a cruise missile and a high-velocity ballistic missile as part of efforts aimed at meeting threats from China and Russia. The defence ministry has asked for spending to be increased to US$39.78 billion, which could rise after factoring in other procurement programmes.

Japan Ground Self-Defence Force personnel take part in a joint exercise with US soldiers in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, in August 2022. Photo: Kyodo

Fumiko Sasaki, a specialist in international relations focusing on Asian and Japanese politics at Columbia University in New York, said Japan was expected to boost its military capabilities in the southwest region and shift more forces there to deter China from escalating military activities.

Tokyo is also likely to station troops on Japanese islands near Taiwan, such as Yonaguni and Miyako, allocate manpower from the army to the navy and air force, and strengthen capabilities in monitoring Chinese military activities.

“Japan will and should (also) consolidate the cooperation among the countries that confront China territorially, such as Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines,” Sasaki said, such as by providing maritime security and capability building measures.

Five Chinese missiles also splashed down inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone in August.

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