Undermining regional peace and stability, Japan is also pulling a "small circle"

Following the US "Indo-Pacific Strategy" undermines regional peace and stability

Japanese cats and tigers are also pulling a "small circle"

　　According to Japanese media reports, on the evening of January 21, Tokyo time, the Japan-U.S. summit held a video meeting. The two sides once again emphasized the Japan-U.S. alliance and agreed to strengthen cooperation on security and economic and trade issues.

On the 20th, the Japanese and French foreign and defense ministers held a "2+2" video conference, expressing that they will promote security cooperation for the realization of a "free and open Indo-Pacific".

　　Experts pointed out that for a period of time, Japan has followed the United States to engage in bloc politics and promote the so-called "Indo-Pacific strategy", and has increasingly become a "spoiler" of regional peace and stability.

constant action

　　Recently, Japan and the United States have frequently shown their intimacy to the outside world.

On January 7, the foreign and defense ministers of Japan and the United States held a "2+2" online meeting and issued a joint statement, expressing concern about China's damage to the rules-based international order.

According to Reuters, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on pressing economic and security issues, including dealing with "China's growing power," at a video meeting between the leaders of Japan and the United States on January 21.

　　In addition to the United States, Western countries such as France and Australia are also "guests" of Japan.

　　According to Japan's "Mainichi Shimbun", the Japanese and French governments held the "2+2" talks by video late at night on January 20. This is the first time the two sides have held "2+2" talks since 2019.

The two sides emphasized that "for the purpose of deepening the joint training of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the French Army, the two sides will conduct business-level consultations on improving training-related procedures in the future."

The French side also seeks to conclude a Reciprocal Access Agreement.

"Nihon Keizai Shimbun" said that the so-called "East Asian security" including China has become the main topic of the talks.

　　According to Kyodo News, on January 6, local time, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison held a video conference to sign the "Reciprocal Access Agreement" on joint training and disaster response of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the Australian Army.

This is the second time Japan has concluded such an agreement after the Japan-US Status Agreement.

According to the Japan-Australia "Reciprocal Access Agreement", the joint training of Japanese and Australian troops can simplify the procedures and customs procedures for bringing weapons into the country, making the dispatch of troops between the two countries smoother.

The report pointed out that the Japanese government will take this as a model and strive to conclude similar reciprocal agreements with Britain, France and other countries.

Conspiracy to be "normal"

　　The "Nihon Keizai Shimbun" recently published an article saying, "In 2021, the number of '2+2' talks between Japan and other countries will reach the highest number in history, and two of them will take place between Japan and the United States."

　　Lv Yaodong, a researcher at the Institute of Japanese Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out in an interview with this reporter: "From the main topics of the '2+2' talks, Japan is committed to reaching the "Mutual Provision of Materials and Labor Agreements" and "Reciprocal Access" with relevant countries. Agreement, to improve the level of bilateral military cooperation, and try to develop more 'quasi-alliance' relations while consolidating the Japan-US alliance."

　　Japan's "Yomiuri Shimbun" said that the recent Japan-US summit video talks also discussed adding an "economic version" of the "2+2" talks to explore how to check and balance China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative.

　　Lu Yaodong analyzed that after the Biden administration of the United States came to power, it was keen to pull the "circle of values", not only from political and military, but also from economic and technological aspects to suppress China and curb China's development.

The United States has always regarded Japan as a capable ally to achieve its own global hegemony.

From the perspective of Japan, after World War II, Japan has always hoped to become a normal political and military power, and to gain more voice and dominance in the international arena.

From constantly reaffirming the concept of a "free and open Indo-Pacific", to hitting new highs in defense spending year after year, to exaggerating the "China threat", Japan's actions are all steps to achieve its own strategic goals.

After Japan's Kishida government came to power, while continuing the Japan-US alliance and inheriting the "Indo-Pacific strategy", it paid more attention to playing the diplomatic card of "human rights" and "values".

The so-called "circle of values" in the United States, Japan and other countries is actually a "circle of interests", so they can hit it off and stick together.

destabilize

　　On January 17, local time, Fumio Kishida delivered his first policy speech after taking office.

Japanese media analyzed that in relations with China, "stability" has become one of the key words in Kishida's speech.

But he also claimed that he would be "outspoken" with China and insist on what should be advocated.

　　Some analysts pointed out that Japan's China policy has two sides and contradictions.

The Japanese government emphasizes maintaining the "stability" of Sino-Japanese relations, but it is actually doing things that destabilize it.

According to foreign media reports, recently, Fumio Kishida said at a press conference after the Japan-US summit video meeting that he would consider holding the Japan-US-Australia-India summit meeting in Japan in the first half of this year.

In 2020 and 2021, the four countries have held Malabar joint military exercises for many times, which has intensified the tension in the region.

　　The "Nihon Keizai Shimbun" analyzed that during the Biden administration in the United States, Japan's joint efforts with the United States, Australia and European countries to enhance deterrence will continue.

　　In Lu Yaodong's view, China and Japan are geographically close, their interests are deeply intertwined, and they have close cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade, and people-to-people and cultural engagement.

The behavior of Japanese right-wing politicians, who uphold zero-sum game thinking and engage in geopolitical confrontation with China, will damage the healthy development of China-Japan relations, have a negative impact on Japan's own recovery and development, and undermine regional peace, stability and development.

　　Our reporter Li Jiabao