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An Izumo helicopter destroyer that Japan is planning on converting into an aircraft carrier. (the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force website)
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Exercise suggest new alliance against Chinese influence
The US, British, and Japanese navies are staging their first-ever joint exercises in the southern waters of Japan. The exercises suggest the three countries are joining forces to contain China. “Joint exercises will be taking place on Dec. 22 in the waters and skies south of Honshu,” the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) announced on Dec. 19. The JMSDF explained that this would be the first time it would be taking part in joint exercises with the US and UK. From the Japanese side, the exercises are to include the P-1 patrol aircraft and the Izumo helicopter destroyer, which is scheduled for refitting as an aircraft carrier according to Japan’s National Defense Program Guidelines and Medium Term Defense Program. The HMS Argyll frigate is to participate from the UK and the P-8A patrol aircraft and warships from the US. The exercises are to include communication drills and tactical drills for altering warship formations. While the US and Japan regularly hold joint exercises, the presence of the British navy as far afield as the waters of Northeast Asia is drawing some attention. Analysts suggested the recent rapid increase in military linkages between Japan and the UK is leading to the development of a quasi-alliance relationship. The British army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) also held joint exercises in the Mt. Fuji area in September and October – the first time the JGSDF conducted drills on Japanese soil with the military of a country other than US. The UK’s apparent decision to join the US and Japan in their efforts to curb China is seen as likely to bring an even edgier response from Beijing. The UK was China’s adversary in the Opium War (1840–42), which China views as marking the beginning of its “century of humiliation.” Japan launched an invasion of China as it began full-scale pursuit of imperialist ambitions after forming an alliance with the UK in 1902. In addition to its US allies, Japan has also been cooperating recently with the UK, Australia, and India as it steps up its efforts to curb China. Its National Defense Program Guidelines finalized on Dec. 18 include various measures minimizing Chinese influence, with more than twice as many references to China than to North Korea; in contrast with 2013, China was mentioned first ahead of North Korea. References to “lack of transparency in defense policies and military strength” and “serious concerns about the security of the region and international community, including Japan” also signaled alarm concerning China. The prevailing view among analysts is that Japan’s plans to refit its Izumo destroyers into aircraft carriers and acquire F-35B aircraft to use on the carriers are largely intended to keep China in check. By Cho Ki-weon, Tokyo correspondent Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]
