Government solidifies long-term support policy for coast guard authorities in four Southeast Asian countries

The Japanese government has decided to provide long-term support to the coast guard authorities of four Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam, and has begun drawing up a plan. Experts point out that the move is aimed at China, which continues to have territorial disputes with other countries in the South China Sea, and analyzes that it will be ``a very powerful help for each country.''

The point of contact for support will be JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), which has positioned the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam as priority countries and plans to provide support based on a long-term plan of about 10 years. .

In order to understand the needs of each country, we conducted field surveys in the Philippines and Indonesia in January this year, and we are also planning to conduct field surveys in Malaysia and Vietnam around April this year.

Based on discussions with each country's coast guard authorities, we will formulate a concrete cooperation plan by March next year for such areas as the provision of unmanned aircraft and radar, the provision of patrol vessels, and human resource development.

In February, it will have been three years since China claimed jurisdiction over almost the entire South China Sea and enacted the Coast Guard Act, which allowed the Coast Guard to use weapons to protect the coast. Neighboring countries are on high alert.

The Philippines faces a series of troubles with China, hoping for stronger support from Japan

The coast guard authorities of the Philippines, one of the priority countries for assistance, have expressed their expectations for Japan's increased assistance.

The background to this is a sense of caution about China's moves toward confrontation in the South China Sea.

The Philippines has recently been in a series of troubles with China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea near Second Thomas Reef in the Spratly Islands, also known as the Spratly Islands.

Second Thomas Shoal was turned into a military base by the Philippines after it ran a warship aground in 1999, but according to the Philippine government, since August last year in particular, Chinese Coast Guard vessels have been interfering with Philippine ships by spraying water on them. It means that it is.

In December last year, a Coast Guard patrol boat and other vessels were intercepted by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel and others, and the transport vessel's engine was damaged, making it unable to sail.

Since 2016, the Philippine Coast Guard has been receiving patrol vessels from Japan one after another, and two large patrol vessels were also provided this year.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, patrol vessels are operating in these waters, and they hope to provide further support.

Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Jay Tarriera, who studied abroad in Japan and studied international law, said, ``If Japan's support ceases, it will have a major impact on the Coast Guard.'' Japan's support is very important."

Expert: “Important for preparing for unexpected situations on the Senkaku Islands”

Masashi Iida, director of the China Research Institute at the Ministry of Defense's National Institute for Defense Studies, who is an expert on Chinese security, points out that the assistance is aimed at China's increasing maritime expansion, adding, ``China has recently been involved in maritime activities in the South China Sea. "We are using the National Police Bureau to increase pressure on Southeast Asian countries. For each country, receiving assistance in building the capacity of their coast guard agencies will be a very powerful aid in our efforts to counter the threat." .

Director Iida also points out that the aim of strengthening Japan's support is important in preparing for future contingencies on the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.

Director Iida is focusing on recent Chinese movements in the South China Sea and the existence of the China Coast Guard Law, which will be in force for three years this February.

The China Coast Guard Law clearly states that China can forcibly remove structures built by foreign organizations or individuals in waters under its jurisdiction, so it remains to be seen what actions China will take in the future. I would like to point out that you need to keep an eye on it.

Director Iida said, ``If the structures installed by the Philippines were to be removed by the Chinese side, Japan seems to have foreseen that it would take similar actions against the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, where it installed lighthouses.'' "This is important for Japan as well, and cannot be overlooked."

``Support to prevent China from engaging in actions that violate international law and other rules in the South China Sea will be of great benefit to Japan,'' he said, calling for efforts to strengthen support for countries such as the Philippines. I am evaluating it.