‘Chinese military trends of grave concern’: Hayashi

Read the full exclusive Q&A interview with Japan’s foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi.

Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi speaks at a joint press conference of the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting at the Park Hyatt on February 11, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. The foreign ministers of Australia, the United States, Japan, and India are meeting to discuss the countries co-operation in areas including the economy, security, and the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Q:　What does the minister see as the purpose of the Quadrilateral Dialogue and how important is the Quad.

In recent years, the Quad has come to play a central role in advancing the vision of a “free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”. It provides an opportunity to promote a wide range of practical co-operation among the Quad partners in such fields as vaccines, infrastructure, climate change, critical and emerging technologies, maritime security, cyber, HA/DR and so on.

Japan, Australia, India, and the United States share fundamental values and are committed to the promotion of the rule-based free and open international order. The four countries also uphold important principles such as the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful settlement of disputes, democratic values and territorial integrity. As we face increasing uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific region, I think that the role that the Quad can play is continually growing.

At the same time, to realise FOIP, it is also critical to closely work with other like-minded partners such as ASEAN and Pacific Island countries. While carefully listening to their voices, we will continue to work closely with such partners to promote the vision as reflected in FOIP.

Looking ahead to the next Quad Leaders’ meeting, currently being co-ordinated to be held in Japan in the first half of 2022, I would also like to work closely with my counterparts in the Quad to further advance various areas of practical co-operation and to lead the Leaders’ meeting to a great success.

 

Q:　What are the most important areas of co-operation that the Quad is pursuing?

As described in Q1, the Quad has been advancing a wide range of practical co-operation in such fields as vaccines, infrastructure, climate change, and critical and emerging technologies, maritime security, cyber, HA/DR and so on.

What is important about this practical co-operation is to ensure that it will actually contribute to the sound development of the region, through addressing a number of challenges that our regional partners face.

For instance, in the field of Covid-19 vaccine co-operation, we have collectively provided more than 500 million vaccine doses as of February 10. At the Foreign Minister’s level, we are considering what kind of capacity building we can provide in the field of maritime security and how we can better collaborate in response to natural disasters in the region.

 

Q: How does Japan evaluate the campaign of economic intimidation which the Government of China has conducted against Australia?

As Prime Minister Kishida and Prime Minister Morrison clearly outlined in the “Japan-Australia Leaders’ Meeting Joint Statement” in January this year, Japan and Australia are opposed to the use of economic coercion that undermines the rules-based trading system and the links between nations fostered by economic engagement. I am encouraged by the resilience with which Australia has responded to economic coercion to date. This challenge is not specific to Australia. We will continue to work together with countries sharing fundamental values, including Australia, to maintain a free, fair, inclusive and rules-based trade and investment environment.

 

Q:　How would the minister describe the relationship between Japan and Australia? How important is the Reciprocal Access Agreement? And how important is military co-operation between Japan and Australia and the strategic relationship between the two nations?

Japan and Australia have defined their relationship as a “Special Strategic Partnership”. This partnership is based on our shared commitment to democracy, human rights, free trade and a rules-based international order; our close co-operation to contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond; our longstanding trade and investment links; and the deep affinity between the peoples of Australia and Japan. In addition, as Prime Minister Kishida and Prime Minister Morrison said in the “Japan-Australia Leaders’ Meeting Joint Statement” in January this year, the importance of this partnership is fundamental and enduring. It means that our “mateship” will continue to be strong, regardless of changing times and circumstances.

In this context, there is no doubt that Australia-Japan co-operation in the security field is particularly important, given that we are both allies of the United States. Recent developments in this area of co-operation have been remarkable, and the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement is an extremely important agreement of practical significance because, if concluded, it will lead to more active and concrete co-operation between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Australian Defence Force in areas such as joint exercises and disaster relief. As the agreement is the first reciprocal access agreement signed by Japan, the relationship with Australia is a model for the relationship between Japan and like-minded countries in strengthening security co-operation. The advanced co-operation between Australia and Japan is also expanding into new areas such as space and cyber, and economic security. I am convinced that, by deepening our security co-operation, Australia and Japan can make a significant contribution to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

Q: How would the minister evaluate the AUKUS agreement in which the US, Britain and Australia will co-operate to help Australia acquire nuclear powered submarines?

As the strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific becomes increasingly challenging, I believe that enhanced security and defence co-operation between Australia, the UK and the US will contribute to regional peace and stability. It is from this perspective that Japan supports AUKUS. I believe that Australia’s acquisition of nuclear submarines is also an important initiative for the security of the Indo-Pacific region. In order to realise a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”, it is important that not only allies and like-minded countries such as Japan, the United States, Australia and India, but also European countries, Southeast Asian countries and Pacific Island countries join the effort. I hope that AUKUS will play an effective security role in this extensive network.

 

Q: Does the Biden administration need a stronger economic agenda in its relations with Asia?

Further US strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region is indispensable to the stability and prosperity of this region and the maintenance and development of the international economic order.

In this regard, Japan has consistently called for the U.S.to return to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) at various levels, including Prime Minister Kishida and myself.

In addition, we welcome an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) announced by President Biden at the East Asia Summit in October 2021. We will work closely with the US to ensure that this framework meets the needs and sensitivities of this region.

From the perspective of realising a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” we will work closely with the US to build a desirable international order in the region.

 

Q:　Does Japan need to increase either its population size or its rate of growth to provide for its national security in the future?

An ageing society with a declining birthrate is a common challenge that Japan and many other developed nations are currently facing. Under PM Kishida’s concept of a “New Form of Capitalism”, we are striving to create a virtuous cycle of growth and distribution and enhance the potential for economic growth.

Along with these undertakings, amid the increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan, we will draw up a new National Security Strategy and work to fully defend the lives and livelihoods of the Japanese people.

 

Q: Is the minister concerned about the likelihood of Russian military action against Ukraine and what is Japan’s view of this?

In the areas near the border of Ukraine, tensions have risen due to Russia’s military build-up and the situation has been uncertain. While relevant countries continue to be engaged in diplomatic efforts, the situation can change rapidly. Japan has been closely monitoring the situation with grave concern.

Japan has been consistent in supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the Japan-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk last November, I expressed Japan’s concerns over the deteriorating situation and conveyed to Foreign Minister Lavrov that we are closely monitoring the situation with strong interests. We have been continuing diplomatic engagements with Russia on various levels trying to ease the tension. Japan will continue to respond appropriately in co-operation with relevant countries, such as Australia and the G7.

 

Q: The Chinese Government in the past has sent war ships into Japanese waters. Are these provocative actions? Is Japan concerned by Beijing’s increased assertiveness in the region?

China has sustained high-level growth of its defence budget, engaging in broad, rapid improvement of its military power with focus on nuclear, missile, naval and air forces, while also focusing on enhancing capabilities related to new areas such as space, cyber, and electromagnetic domains, and developing so-called game-changer technologies. It is also continuing to expand and intensify its activities in the East China Sea, Pacific Ocean, and South China Sea.

Such Chinese military trends, combined with insufficient transparency on its defence policies and military affairs, have become a matter of grave concern to the region including Japan and the international community.

Moreover, it is unacceptable that China Coast Guard vessels have repeatedly intruded into the Japanese territorial sea around the Senkaku Islands and have attempted to approach Japanese fishing boats.

In the telephone conversation that I held with State Councillor Wang Yi last November, I explicitly expressed concern regarding the situation surrounding the Senkaku Islands and the East China Sea.

With the determination to defend our territory as well as territorial sea and airspace, we will continue to take a calm and resolute approach to the situation, while firmly maintaining and asserting our position.

 

Q: Japan is the real author of the Quad. How important are shared democratic values between Japan, the US, India and Australia?

As major democratic nations in the region, Japan and other Quad partners share fundamental values, and are committed to reinforcing a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Together, we support such principles as the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful settlement of disputes, democratic values and territorial integrity.

We have seen steady progress in advancing practical co-operation among the four countries in various areas and have made positive contributions to the Indo-Pacific region. This has been made possible in large part thanks to our shared values and principles.

As a country that attaches importance to the protection and promotion of fundamental values, Japan will continue to deepen our close co-operation with other Quad partners, to advance a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.