Japan expands defense partnerships amid risks around Taiwan — SCMP
Japan is building a network of defense partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond to enhance the country’s ability to withstand a prolonged crisis, including a possible conflict around Taiwan. As the South China Morning Post reports, analysts interviewed by the publication believe that Tokyo is not seeking to create a NATO-like coalition obligated to fight alongside Japan.
According to Misato Matsuoka, an associate professor at Teikyo University, a broader network of partners could make it more difficult for China to isolate or exhaust Japan during a crisis around Taiwan. Such cooperation could give Tokyo access to technology, production, logistics, intelligence and economic support.
Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region
Christopher Hughes, a professor at the University of Warwick, described the Japanese approach as a three-tier strategy: strengthening its own capabilities, deeper integration with the United States, and developing ties with US allies and partners. According to him, the new cooperation formats are not intended to replace Japan’s alliance with the United States.
Japan is deepening defense cooperation with Australia. In December, the countries established a coordination mechanism covering operations, intelligence, technology and the defense industry. On August 18, they agreed that Japan would use Australian test ranges to test long-range precision-strike systems and autonomous systems, including those related to the hypersonic missile program.
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In May, Japan, Australia and New Zealand launched trilateral consultations among defense ministers. On August 26, the defense ministers of Japan, Australia and Indonesia held their first trilateral meeting and agreed to develop cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. In September, Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force is to deploy F-2 fighter jets to India for the first time.
Logistics and defense production
Interaction with the Philippines is directly linked to the geography of a possible conflict around Taiwan. In August, the Japan-Philippines agreement on the reciprocal provision of supplies and services entered into force, providing for logistical support during joint operations and exercises. Japan is expanding Type 12 missile capabilities on its southwestern islands, while the Philippines has deployed BrahMos anti-ship missiles and the United States has deployed NMESIS and Typhon systems.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin accused certain politicians in Japan and the Philippines of a “military conspiracy” and criticized Tokyo for allegedly provoking bloc confrontation.
Japan is also expanding technological and industrial cooperation with European partners. Together with the United Kingdom and Italy, it is developing a next-generation fighter under the Global Combat Air Programme, which Canada joined as an observer in July. Céline Pajon, head of Japan research at the French Institute of International Relations, believes that the most likely contribution of European partners in the event of a crisis would be diplomatic, sanctions-related, cyber, intelligence and industrial support rather than large-scale combat operations.
