Japanese Defense Minister Condemns Nuclear Capable Countries For Ignoring Rules

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi in Tokyo, September 2020. (ANTARA/Reuters)

JAKARTA - Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said China and Russia's maneuvers had sharpened security concerns in East Asia. He stressed Tokyo would be at the forefront as the nuclear-capable nations try to change international norms.

"Japan is surrounded by actors who possess, or are developing nuclear weapons, and who openly ignore the rules," Kishi said at a meeting on Asian security issues, the Shangri-La Dialogue, held in Singapore on Saturday 11 June local time.

In May, China and Russia conducted joint air patrols in waters near Japan and Taiwan, the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"This joint military operation between these two powerful military forces will undoubtedly raise concerns among other countries," Kishi said.

In addition, Kishi continued, the security and stability of the Taiwan Strait is also important for the security of Japan and the wider world. He called China a "country of concern".

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a "special military operation", has worried Tokyo.

Kishi said it could build up military power as a way to resolve international disputes and encourage China to try and take control of Taiwan, which lies close to Japan and the maritime trade route that supports its economy.

In his speech, Kishi also criticized North Korea, which has conducted at least 18 missile tests this year, saying the regime should not be allowed to threaten Japan, the region, and the international community.

Making the same point, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphatically in his speech to the Shangri-La Dialogue said his country would call for increased defense spending and possibly seek further attack weapons.

He said East Asia may face the same situation as Ukraine today.