Tokyo – In early March, President Trump criticized what he characterized as a unilateral security alliance between the US and Japan. Earlier, officials in Japan heard these comments from Mr. Trump, and so far they continued to form the country's national security plans on the basis of confidence in the US support.
Government officials admit that they really have no other choice.
“No Plan B for Japan except US”, Takuya Akiyama, According to CBS News, Chief Deputy Director of the North America Bureau at the Japanese Foreign Ministry. “The contract of wise, as well as as a physical presence, no other country can replace the US that is incredibly.”
US can be distracted from Europe Under President Trump, but despite his statements about Japan, US military cooperation with Tokyo appeared stable and can even expand when the White House increases the confrontation and Asia is increasing Persistent superpower, China.
China's threat for neighbors
Japanese officials may have breathed a sigh of relief after Prime Minister Shiger Isen's visit to the White House in February. Trump administration has confirmed its commitment to Japan's defense, including Tokyo's dispute with Beijing over ownership Islands of the Senkak.
This is one of the many disputes about the property between China and its neighbors over the islands on South -China Sea – Almost all of which Beijing claims its territory. The White House has repeatedly condemned Chinese aggression And militarization in the South -Chinese Sea, as well as US and planes regularly perform “Freedom Navigation” exercises in the area – often pull out sharp reproaches from Beijing.
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Advisers of the Japanese Prime Minister spent several months after the US election, preparing him for a meeting with Mr. Trump. According to Japanese Japanese Foreign Ministry officials, Japanese Foreign Ministry of Japan, they focused on using a clear and concise language to convey the benefits of security alliance in the US, and an increase in Japan.
China was fast Strengthening their military capabilitiesIncluding its nuclear program, in recent years, according to US officials. Last year China announced Increase by 7.2% in the defense budgetWhich was already the second largest in the world, for only the United States.
In February Taiwan condemned China and deployed its strength as Chinese military Workouts “Shooting Workouts” were conducted In the Taiwanese Strait.
“From an American point of view, it is clear that when Taiwan falls, and when Japan falls that our alliances in the Indo-Pacific region will end,” said CBS News Kenneth Weinstein. “China will carry out an unusual military cobbler – will be able to close global delivery, for example, they, as they see, will be able to throttle to the South -Chinese sea and elsewhere.”
There have already been tense meetings between Japanese and Chinese sea vessels around Senkak Islands, a group of uninhabited islands claiming Beijing and Tokyo. According to Japanese Coast Guard, Chinese government courts entered the maritime zone around the islands, which China calls Diaoyus, 355 of 366 days 2024 – the largest penetration reported by Japan after China started working around the islands in 2008.
According to officials of foreign and defense ministries, Chinese courts operating in the islands increased not only in the number, but also in weapons that wear more and more weapons when they circled controversial territories.
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While Japanese analysts do not believe that the Chinese military invasion of Senkak is inevitable, they say there is a risk that an accident or an incident involving fishing or other non -military vessels in the region can lead to a rapid military escalation.
“The Communist Party of China believes in power. They have started acting because they believe that they are now able to do it,” said Chinese experts Akio Takahar, a professor at the Christian University in Tokyo, CBS News. “We want the US to increase their presence in the region because the Chinese are certainly going to increase their presence in the region.”
Basic incentive for cooperation on US and Japan protection?
In recent years, Japan has converted its approach to defense, including obliged to spend 2% of its GDP for defense by 2027.
The Trump administration seemed to have approved the changes, and it did not ask Japan an even greater increase in defense costs as some Japanese officials were afraid that it could.
While Mr -n Trump complained specifically this month on Japan's hypothetical readiness to fulfill mutual defense commitments to USA in accordance with Article 5 USA and Japan Safety TreatyJapanese officials tried to focus more on Article 6, according to which Japan provides bases and means for the US forces. And this aspect of the relationship can be set for expansion.
The United States and Japan have been discussing since Mr. Trump has returned to the White House on the possible creation of a joint -headquarters in Japan. If this happens, it would allow the US forces to update the role of US forces in the headquarters with the operational body. The dialogue on modernization was announced as part of the Biden administration after the Japanese was asked.
In the case of a regional security crisis, the Chinese attack on Taiwan or the controversial Island of the South China Sea, the joint headquarters in Japan will give US military the opportunity to respond to teams from the region, and not expect orders to come from the US Command.
US Secretary of Defense Pitt Hugset is expected to meet with his Japanese counterpart in late March to discuss US forces in the Pacific region.
Concern to Ukraine
Dramatic Floating Trump Administration in his position on Ukraine Also caused concern in Japan. Since Russia has launched its full -scale invasion in February 2022, Japan has been a supporter of Ukraine. Japanese officials are worried about the precedent that will be established if the United States gives up the nation's partner before invading a more powerful neighbor.
“In the light of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the perception of security countries has changed dramatically around the world,” Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Chisida said at a regional security summit in June 2022, for several months in Russian invasion. “I have a strong sense of urgency that Ukraine can be East Asia today.”
The Japanese are afraid that when the US and the world are generally ready to accept changes within Europe forced by Russian aggression, they can also refuse to intervene in the case of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.
“The Chinese will be encouraged that if Xi Jinping did something similar, Trump will be as good for Xi Jinping as Putin,” said Professor Takahar CBS News. “Such a message will be received in Beijing.”
Tokyo officials are trying to stay focused on long -term bilateral relations with Washington, looking outside the Trump administration, but they know that China is closely monitoring how the relationship develops, especially given the changing nature of Trump administration.
“We do not know what Mr -n Trump will say tomorrow and do the next day. So, at least Ishiba's visit, the first round, went normally. We were pleased,” Takahara said. “But what's the next round? When it goes? Nobody knows.”