Japan Press Weekly

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2014 February 26 - March 4 [POLITICS]

Abe’s security policy contrary to ASEAN

Akahata “Current” column

The Japanese government’s idea of national security is far distant from that of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Taking advantage of the tension with China over the Senkaku Islands, the Abe Cabinet is eager to turn Japan into a war-fighting nation. In contrast, ASEAN, whose members that include Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei have territorial disputes with China over islands in the South China Sea, has been striving through negotiations for more than 20 years to conclude with China a code of conduct (COC) as a legally binding framework to ban the use of force in the region.

Working diplomatically to create a framework to avoid military conflict truly guarantees national security. Increasing one nation’s military strength may lead to the military buildup of its neighboring countries and thus only increases the tensions.

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, however, seems to believe that national security can be guaranteed by a military buildup, a strong military alliance, U.S. bases in Japan, and the exercise of the right to collective self-defense.

Since finding a resolution to territorial disputes is quite difficult, ASEAN continues to engage in dialogues to prevent armed conflicts in the region. This assessment is based on remarks made by a high-level official of the Indonesian government, which has played a role of mediator in ASEAN for many years.

To continuously promote dialogues and build trust and mutual respect is recognized as the common sense of the world to maintain national security. Contrary to this international trend, Prime Minister Abe exhibits aberrant behavior on top of trying to justify Japan’s past war of aggression. His diplomatic policy is in a disgrace.