Japan turns to ‘realistic diplomacy’

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida today unveiled what he called a shift to “realistic” diplomacy to help his country defuse the dangers it faces in a world rocked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“The Kishida Vision for Peace will strengthen Japan’s diplomacy and security,” he said in a keynote address at the opening of the Sangrila Dialogue Security Forum. Singapore. “Ukraine could be East Asia tomorrow.”

Kishida’s remarks mark another step for Japan to move away from its post-World War II pacifism and step out of the shadow of the United States, its main ally, to play a greater role in regional security facing China. , North Korea and Russia.

Tokyo is concerned about growing Chinese military activity in and around the East China Sea. It is also wary of Beijing’s military ties with Moscow.

His country’s active diplomacy, Kishida said, will be backed by a commitment made earlier this week to drastically increase defense spending over the next five years and with assistance to Asian countries, including patrol boats for Southeast Asian states and the Pacific islands to help safeguard maritime security.

The prime minister said Japan was considering acquiring counterattack weapons to prevent potential enemies from launching attacks, a controversial proposal in a country that renounced the right to wage war after its defeat in World War II.

Kishida also spoke about the threat posed by North Korea, which has conducted at least 18 rounds of weapons tests this year, demonstrating its evolving nuclear and missile arsenals.

Describing North Korea as a clear and serious challenge to the international order, Kishinda expressed frustration that the UN Security Council had failed to act against Pyongyang because of its ability to veto resolutions. Japan, he stressed, will seek to reform the SA.