Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Kuala Lumpur on July 10. (©Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs via Kyodo)
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Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama all adopted timid stances toward China. This situation is extremely unfortunate as it undermines Japan's national interests.
On July 9 and July 10, a Chinese J-H7 fighter-bomber made an abnormal approach towards a Japan Air Self-Defense Force YS-11EB electronic intelligence aircraft over the East China Sea. On both days, the Chinese military aircraft came within about 70 meters of the ASDF plane if measured in a straight line.
These were abnormal, dangerous, and provocative manners of flying. The latest incidents came shortly after similar incidents on June 7 and June 8. In those cases, a Chinese military aircraft made an abnormal approach towards a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aircraft over the Pacific Ocean.
The Chinese military's high-handed behavior is utterly unacceptable. China must reflect on such foolish actions that impair its dignity as a country.
But even more concerning is the Ishiba administration's truly pathetic response to these Chinese provocations.
How Germany Handled It
On July 10, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. At that time, Iwaya conveyed Japan's serious concerns about the dangerous approaches of Chinese military aircraft. He also called for China to desist from such behavior.
Also, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi expressed serious concern about the incidents to Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao via telephone. However, expressing "serious concerns" is a milder diplomatic response than a formal "protest."
How Germany handled a similar incident in early July stands in stark contrast. After a German military aircraft was targeted by a laser on a Chinese warship during a reconnaissance flight over the Red Sea, Germany's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chinese ambassador to Germany. When he arrived, German officials delivered a strong protest.
Why don't we learn from Germany?
Standing Up to China's Disrespect
During a street corner campaign speech ahead of the July 20 Upper House election, Ishiba said, "We will not be disrespected." He was referring to the tariff policy of the Trump administration. Yet he refused to speak out in protest regarding abnormal behavior on the part of the Chinese military. It is Chinese behavior that could lead to an accidental military conflict.
Ishiba has also been silent on the subject on social media. His responses have been clearly imbalanced.
Even after the close encounters over the Pacific in June, the government only expressed "serious concern." Then, too, Prime Minister Ishiba issued no statement on the matter.
After this pitiful performance, Japan should expect to be disrespected and once again subjected to dangerous provocations.
LDP Leadership in a Fog
Clearly, the Japanese government should display more righteous anger.
The attitude of LDP Secretary-General Moriyama is also bizarre. On July 11 he met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Osaka. But according to reports, the main topics discussed were the issue of resuming Japanese beef exports to China and a request for China to loan Japan more giant pandas.
Why is it that Moriyama did not press He to engage in a frank and honest exchange regarding the abnormal approaches of Chinese military aircraft? Even more so, why didn't he call for the release of Japanese nationals currently detained by Chinese authorities?
The same also holds true for Foreign Minister Iwaya.
If our leaders will not speak and act resolutely for the sake of Japan, they are not fit to serve at the nation's helm.
RELATED:
- Chinese Military Jets Make Aggressive Passes Near Japan
- What Was That Lame Response to Chinese Fighter Jets' Reckless Behavior?
- Defense Strategy in Focus as China Escalates in East and South China Seas
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
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