Why did the Self-Defense Forces stand at the forefront of the US-China confrontation?
September 22, 17:53
Guadalcanal Island in the South Pacific, far away from Japan.
One ship entered port this summer.
Maritime Self-Defense Force escort ship "Kirisame".
On this island, where Japan and the United States once fought fiercely, the United States and China are now engaged in a fierce bargaining over security.
Why did the escort ship go there?
Riding on the "Kirisame", I interviewed the aims of the Self-Defense Forces, which are active at the forefront of the US-China conflict.
(NHK Special "Century of Confusion" coverage group)
“Defense Exchange” to Solomon Islands and Guadalcanal
U.S. Naval Base Apra, Guam, July 27.
When I entered the base after going through a strict security check, I found the Maritime Self-Defense Force's escort ship "Kirisame" docked at one corner of the quay.
The Kirisame, which left the Sasebo Air Base in early July, called at Guam to resupply fuel and food.
The assigned mission is "defense exchange" with the Pacific island nations.
In 2016, the government launched the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Initiative.
In order to realize this concept, the Maritime Self-Defense Force has been dispatching escort vessels to countries in the Indo-Pacific region every year since the following year, and is carrying out "defense exchanges" to strengthen relations through events and joint exercises.
This time, "Kirisame" visited Guadalcanal, the capital of the Solomon Islands, for the first time together with the US military.
Two weeks of in-depth coverage began.
The Changing “Quality of the Japan-US Alliance”
Two days after leaving Guam.
"Kirisame" conducted offshore replenishment training with the US military.
She appeared on the cargo ammunition supply ship "Cesar Chavez".
She was a large ship, like a gray building floating on the sea.
During the training, the "Kirisame" received refueling from the resupply ship.
I had seen the Self-Defense Forces refuel American forces many times before, but this was the first time I had seen the opposite pattern.
Support each other through alliances.
It may be a matter of course, but I felt that the quality of the alliance has changed from before.
According to Maritime Self-Defense Force officials, it would be efficient to receive supplies from the U.S. military when traveling long distances like this time, as it would eliminate the need for a supply ship.
"Kirisame" Chief Engineer Yuya Sueyoshi 1st Lieutenant
"Personally, I don't know how many times I've done replenishment training. The American side understands our procedures, and we also follow their I almost understand how to do it.The procedure is not at the stage of deepening, but it has been established.”
The Kirisame, which had been refueled, hurried the sea route to the Solomon Islands.
“U.S.-China Conflict” Intensifies in the Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands is an island nation with a population of approximately 700,000, located 5,500 kilometers south of Japan.
Currently, the United States and China are engaged in a fierce bargaining over this small island nation.
It all started three years ago.
The Solomon Islands cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan and established diplomatic ties with China.
Furthermore, in April, news that will shock the United States and Australia will flow.
The Solomon Islands have announced that they have signed a security pact with China.
Although the details were not made public, a document that was allegedly a draft of the agreement was leaked on social media.
According to it, it was written that ▽ the Solomon Islands can request China to dispatch police and military, and ▽ China can bring ships to port and supply supplies.
Why was this agreement so shocking?
This is because the Solomon Islands are located on a straight line connecting Hawaii and Australia and are strategically important in terms of security in the Pacific region.
In the Pacific War, the former Japanese army built an airfield on Guadalcanal Island to divide the United States and Australia.
Fierce fighting took place between the Allied forces, with more than 20,000 casualties.
If China establishes a military base in the Solomon Islands as a result of the agreement, there are concerns that it will have a major impact on the sea lanes of the United States and Australia.
For this reason, after the conclusion of the agreement, the United States is desperate to catch up, such as appointing a temporary ambassador for the establishment of an embassy in the Solomon Islands.
The Solomon Islands are now at the forefront of the US-China confrontation.
On the other hand, Japan has a close relationship with the Solomon Islands.
The relationship has been built up, such as providing economic assistance of more than 45 billion yen over the five years from 2015, which is currently announced.
The purpose of this visit to Kirisame was to keep pace with the United States and strengthen relations in the field of security.
The captain meets with ministers
On August 6, nine days after leaving Guam, Kirisame entered Guadalcanal.
A police band played on the quay to welcome them.
Since there is no military in the Solomon Islands, the police agency will be the counterpart of the Self-Defense Forces.
After entering the port, the first thing Captain Sakata and others visited was the Minister of Police and National Security.
He is a key man in charge of security policy as a close aide to the prime minister.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force wanted to strengthen cooperation with the Maritime Police in the Solomon Islands.
At the beginning of the courtesy call held in a room in the hotel restaurant, the two shook hands in a friendly mood.
The meeting was closed to the public, but both sides responded briefly to the interview after the meeting.
"Kirisame" Captain Atsushi Sakata
"Both the Solomon Islands and Japan are maritime nations, so their interest in the ocean is very high. I think the conversation about how to strengthen cooperation on the ocean was very lively. One of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces. I think the fact that the unit commander made time to pay a courtesy call shows how much he cares about Japan.”
Police and National Security Minister Beke:
“The captain is a good man. It was a good meeting.
Secretary
: “I have reconfirmed our friendship with Japan. We will build a positive partnership.”
In response to the interview, Captain Sakata talked about the response, but the reaction was as if something was stuck in the molars, perhaps because the Solomon Islands side was considering China.
In fact, China's shadow was visible all over the island.
A Chinese cargo ship was moored at the port where Kirisame entered.
Solomon Islands exports a lot of timber and other products to China.
In the center of the city, construction of a large-scale stadium was underway with the aid of China.
Garbage trucks donated by China were running around the city.
The U.S. military also has “defense exchanges”
As China's influence grew in the Solomon Islands, the U.S. military also engaged in "defense exchanges."
The setting was the US Navy hospital ship Mercy.
He was dispatched for two weeks this summer to provide medical support to the Solomon Islands, an island country with an inadequate medical system.
After several days of interview negotiations, special permission was granted to photograph the interior of the ship.
Once inside the ship, it was a hospital itself.
There are 1,200 medical professionals such as doctors and nurses working here.
It has 1,000 beds, 80 intensive care beds and 12 operating rooms.
Even during filming, the staff was busy coming and going.
"A new operation has begun. The operation is about to begin.
"
Then, the person holding the scalpel was a medical officer from Japan and the United States.
The Self-Defense Forces dispatched six medical officers and others to Mercy separately from the visit to the Solomon Islands by "Kirisame".
A local man was lying on the operating table.
He suffered from a severe hernia, which local hospitals could not treat.
Japanese and American medical officers take turns picking up the sutures and begin closing the surgical site.
After careful work, the surgery was completed in about two hours.
Japanese and American medical officers congratulated each other on their success.
"This is by no means a political mission," said a U.S. Navy captain.
U.S. Navy Captain Hank Kim
“I believe that difficulties and problems are opportunities for us to demonstrate our strength. Realizing a safe, secure, and open Indo-Pacific is not just the U.S. effort. It is a mission, and through this mission is the greatest opportunity for all countries in the region to come together and strengthen trust.”
2nd Lieutenant Colonel Riichi Ao : Demonstrating
Japan's presence through medical assistance will promote mutual understanding and strengthen cooperative relationships with the Solomon Islands, and contribute to the maintenance and strengthening of a free and open Indo-Pacific. I think we're getting closer, one step at a time."
"Mercy" was tasked with not only providing humanitarian assistance to the Solomon Islands, but also building relationships.
“Miscalculation” at the Memorial Ceremony
Building a relationship with the Solomon Islands, which Japan and the United States are working on together.
However, the reality that it is not easy has come into view.
The day after the Kirisame entered port, a ceremony sponsored by the United States was held to commemorate those who died in the Battle of Guadalcanal during the Pacific War.
The memorial ceremony was attended by senior officials from Japan, the United States, and Australia, including former Japanese State Minister of Defense Oniki and Chief of Staff of the Self-Defense Forces, General Yamazaki, as well as U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Sherman and Ambassador Kennedy, who resides in Australia.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sogavarre was also invited.
From the United States' point of view, it should have been a great opportunity to show the countries that had fought in the past united and to demonstrate their presence in the Solomon Islands.
However, Prime Minister Sogavare did not appear at the ceremony, and the speech was hastily delivered by another minister.
``Is he absent out of consideration for China?''
Such thoughts cross my mind.
We asked the ceremony staff what happened, but the reason for their absence was unclear.
The Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands is...
After the ceremony, State Minister of Defense Oniki and others headed to the Prime Minister's Office to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sogavare.
In the waiting room, the group carefully confirmed what they were going to say until just before the meeting, showing the importance of the visit.
Then, Deputy Secretary of State Sherman of the United States came out from the reception room.
Before the Japanese side, they were holding talks.
In a series of talks, Prime Minister Sogavare smiled and put a necklace on Deputy Minister Oniki.
The Japanese side presented a gift box with Mt.Fuji on it.
The meeting then took place in private for about 30 minutes.
According to people familiar with the matter, the Japanese side expressed concern that China might build a military base based on the security agreement, but Prime Minister Sogavare replied, "There is no need to worry."
How does Prime Minister Sogavare think about relations with Japan, the United States, and China?
We interviewed Prime Minister Sogavare at a later date.
He was stubbornly tight-lipped about Japan-U.S.-China relations, saying he could not talk about security.
Prime Minister Sogavare
said: "Despite the various circumstances, as the leader of the South Pacific, I am challenging myself to create a peaceful, happy and prosperous nation. That is my eternal task."
where is the army
The day after the memorial service on Guadalcanal Island, the Kirisame conducted goodwill training with the Maritime Police of the Solomon Islands jointly with the U.S. Navy, completing the "defense exchange".
The bargaining between the United States and China unfolds in the Pacific Ocean far south of Japan.
Under these circumstances, the scope of activities of the Self-Defense Forces has expanded further, and the roles required of them have also expanded.
As the security environment surrounding Japan is said to be becoming more severe, what course will the Self-Defense Forces take in the future?
We will continue the interview.
The contents of this interview will be reported in detail in the NHK special "The Century of Turmoil 2nd Accelerating 'Power Game' ~ Drastic Change / World Security ~" scheduled to be broadcast on Sunday, October 9th.
Reporter
Ryotaro Minami
Joined in 2011
After working at the Yokohama and Okinawa stations, he is currently a member.
Since 2020, he has been in charge of the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces.
Director of Fukuoka Broadcasting Station
Daigo Mizushima
Joined in 2008
After working at Matsuyama Station, he is now at Fukuoka Broadcasting Station.
He produces programs such as war memories and security-related programs.
Social Program Department Director
Kensuke Oyabu
Joined in 2008
Social Program Department after working in the political program department of the Nagoya Bureau and the News Bureau.
He currently covers security policy and social welfare fields.