Japan-Indonesia sign defence agreement due to increasing Chinese threat

Tokyo: The Japanese foreign ministry said, ‘The consistent efforts to make changes unilaterally, in the South China Sea by using force, has become a cause for major concern. The concerns felt by Japan and Indonesia are identical.’ The Japanese foreign ministry underlined the Chinese threat without directly taking names during the two-plus-two talks between the Foreign and Defence Minister of both the countries. After these two-plus-two talks, Japan signed a historic agreement to supply defence equipment and advanced technology to Indonesia.

Indonesian Defence Minister, Prabowo Subianto, welcomed the agreement saying that this is a historical development. Defence Minister Subianto appealed that Japan should provide more assistance to Indonesia in modernising the Indonesian defence strengths and training of the Indonesian military and navy. Whereas, Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi expressed confidence, ‘Japan and Indonesia will come together and make efforts for a free and open marine sector.’ With this, Defence Minister Kishi has delivered the message that Japan is keen on providing defence-related assistance necessary for Indonesia.

It was concurred during the talks that the South China Sea situation was festering due to the aggressive Chinese activities in the region. But both countries refrained from levelling accusations against China. However, Japan’s foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, blamed the use of force on unilateral action, saying, ‘The situation in the South China Sea region is so unstable that peace and prosperity cannot be assumed.’

Meanwhile, the Chinese activities in the South China Sea have crossed the limits of concern. 220 Chinese ships have intruded in the Philippines marine region, and these ships are not willing to leave the marine area despite repeated warnings issued by Indonesia. The Indonesian air force has started surveillance on these ships, increasing the tension in the region tremendously. China claims that the entire South China Sea belongs to it, and therefore, the interests of the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Brunei have been threatened.

In this scenario, Indonesia has started efforts to increase its level of defence preparedness, giving up the non-aligned stand. The two-plus-two talks with Japan seem to be a part of the same efforts. Indonesia is mainly trying to get defence equipment from Japan for facing the pressures exerted by mighty China. Japan has become aggressive against China who is claiming rights over the Japanese islands in the South China Sea. Japan is replying to China by increasing economic, diplomatic and military cooperation with the ASEAN countries. Japan has started rapid work on its strategy, while China is upset with the Japanese moves and has become more aggressive. Therefore, there are clear indications that Japan will be taking the initiative to increase cooperation with the regional countries to form a front against China.