Ishiba's Illusion of Peace with China Endangers Japan Security

このページを 日本語 で読む

The current administration of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba appears infatuated with the illusion of "peace" with China. As a result, it remains oblivious to the seriousness of the situation. He must awaken to the danger posed by Chinese helicopters violating Japanese airspace and strengthen our defenses. Otherwise, it will be difficult to defend Japan.

On May 3, a China Coast Guard vessel entered Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. A Chinese helicopter then took off, violating Japanese airspace and prompting Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter jets to scramble. Moreover, at the time of the incident, a small Japanese civilian plane was flying nearby.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi lodged a strong protest with Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao. The protest demanded that such incidents not be repeated. Meanwhile, the Chinese foreign ministry summoned an envoy from the Japanese embassy in Beijing to protest, claiming that the Japanese civilian aircraft had "illegally entered Chinese airspace."

The Senkaku Islands are an inherently Japanese territory. Absolutely, the China Coast Guard has no right to enforce Chinese law in waters around the islands. 

China would do well to remember that the January 8, 1953, edition of the People's Daily, which is an official organ of the Chinese Communist Party, itself listed the Senkaku Islands as a constituent part of Japan's Ryukyu Islands. 

Nor is violation of Japanese airspace permitted. Chinese aircraft, as well as naval vessels, should immediately leave the vicinity of the Senkaku Islands.

Wishy-washy Ishiba

The Ishiba administration's wishy-washy approach to dealing with such Chinese incursions is deplorable. This latest incident is comparable to, if not more problematic than, the violation of Japanese airspace by a Chinese military aircraft off the coast of the Danjo Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture in 2024. Prime Minister Ishiba and Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya should be expressing righteous anger at these violations of Japanese sovereignty. However, they have both failed to do so. 

Moreover, no orders have been issued to strengthen Japan's security posture. If Japan's leaders remain timid, they will be unable to protect the nation's airspace, seas, and islands. 

The recent airspace violation also highlighted the difficulty of fast-flying fighter jets dealing with slower-moving helicopters and small drones. It is like using a sledgehammer to swat a fly. If the incursions continue, the Air Self-Defense Force will only wear itself out chasing after these small, agile intruders.

Defending Japanese Territory

If this situation continues, Chinese helicopters and drones will soon be flying around as if they own the area. We must not permit a situation in which Chinese helicopters can easily land on and occupy the Senkaku Islands. 

Japan's prime minister should respond to Chinese incursions into Japanese airspace in two ways. First, he must adopt a defense posture capable of responding to such air incursions. Using relatively slow propeller-equipped Self-Defense Force fighter aircraft, helicopters, and drones would be a start. 

Second, the government must expand the scope of the agencies participating in the response.

As things now stand, defending Japanese airspace is the sole responsibility of the Self-Defense Forces. Meanwhile, the Japan Coast Guard and Okinawa Prefectural Police are the enforcement agencies operating near the Senkaku Islands. Yet, they have no authority to respond or defend in this regard. 

It is the government's responsibility to the Japanese people to prepare for these and future threats. Prime Minister Ishiba and the National Security Secretariat must demonstrate leadership and establish an effective defense posture. This must happen at the earliest possible date.

Advertisement

RELATED:

• Japan's Three Territorial Problems Viewed Under the Glare of International Law
• Chinese Military Violates Japanese Airspace: an Attempt to Counter NATO?
• Expel the Chinese Ambassador Who Threatens People of Japan

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

このページを 日本語 で読む