Report on Japanese Military Power 2012 (15)

VIII. Military and Security Exchanges

Japan’s military and security exchanges with foreign countries in 2012 followed the following two lines: to expand regional and multilateral security networks, and to push for arms exports and international cooperation in joint R&D of weaponry and equipment as “Three Principles on Arms Exports” is easing. These two lines of development reveal Japan’s intention to speed up its efforts to be self-reliant, to expand its strategic space and exert international influence, and to counter-balance China. And it follows naturally that Japan tries to contain the rise of China with increased military and security options.

A. Expanding regional and multilateral security networks

Japan maintains that after the financial crisis, it is difficult to rely solely on itself or Japan-U.S. alliance for security. With the U.S. decline and complication of world security situation, the tendency of diversification of security approaches has been self-evident. To set up a security network will not only help reinforce Japan’s ability in tackling security issues, but also expand its diplomatic space and increase its strategic options. Japan seeks to become a shaper of new regional security order also because it tries to elevate its status in the international community and increase its international clout. Japan is now promoting the establishment of a cooperative regional security network with either the U.S. or Japan-U.S. alliance (the so-called “Japan plus X” or “Japan-U.S. plus X” pattern) as its center, linking Australia, the ROK, India and relevant countries in Southeast Asia. Such a network is sometimes titled “democratic alliance” or “the arch of freedom and prosperity”, but it is essentially a maritime alliance. It has undeniably an element of hedging against or containing China.

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