China constitutes the greatest strategic threat to Japan and the international community, and Tokyo needs to strengthen its diplomacy and military muscle to face the challenge alongside the United States, Beijing’s rivals in Cold War 2.0.
The statements are made by the Foreign Minister of Japan, Yoshimasa Hayashi, who arrives in Brasília this Sunday (8) for a two-day visit, in which he should meet with the new Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).
In a written interview with Sheetthe Chancellor says that the new Japanese National Security Strategy, which intends to double the current 1% of Gross Domestic Product spent on defense in five years, is an imposition of geopolitical reality.
After a period of withdrawal, given Donald Trump’s disengagement from Asian geopolitics, Hayashi reaffirms that “the Japan-US alliance continues to be the foundation of foreign policy and national security” of his country. Indeed, under Joe Biden, ties have been strengthened within the Quad, an anti-China group also made up of India and Australia.
A member of Fumio Kishida’s cabinet since November 2021, Hayashi says it will be up to the people to vote on changing the Constitution regarding the nature of the Armed Forces in the country – the 1947 Constitution defines them as defensive. The issue is under discussion in the Diet (Parliament) and is a banner of its Liberal Democratic Party since Shinzo Abe’s time in power.
Hayashi served as a minister to Abe, who was assassinated in 2022, nearly two years after stepping down as prime minister on health grounds. Abe was a promoter of Japanese militarism in the face of Chinese assertiveness, the Beijing-Moscow alliance and the now explicit threats from North Korea and its nuclear missiles.
With regard to Brazil, the country with the largest Japanese community outside Japan, the priority is to increase trade, with a focus on reducing customs bureaucracy. Last year, until December, Japan was the country’s tenth largest trading partner, with a surplus for the Brazilian side of US$ 156 million.
Since peaking in 2011, the trade balance between Japan and Brazil has been subject to fluctuations, including, at times, contraction. How to expand bilateral trade? And what are your expectations regarding the new Brazilian government? Japan and Brazil have developed relationships in a complementary way, for example in the investment of Japanese companies in the exploration and trade of natural resources and in the manufacturing sector. I would like to deepen cooperation with the new government and further develop bilateral relations.
Concretely, Brazil is a country rich in natural resources, including important minerals such as rare metals, food and energy. Covid-19 and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine have led to increased interest in supply chains around the world. There are many new business opportunities. For example, I would like to strengthen economic relationships through the use of Brazil’s abundant renewable energy and the use of data and digital technology, fundamental to closing disparities in health care.
Brazil is in the process of developing 5G internet, and Japanese technology has strengths in the development of a safe and cost-effective infrastructure.
On the other hand, the complex tax system and the length of customs procedures are identified as challenges faced by Japanese companies that invest in Brazil. I hope the new government will make progress in resolving these issues.
In response to China’s growing influence and North Korea’s threat, Japan recently announced a significant increase in military spending. In this new geopolitical situation, how will the country develop its security policy, including the revision of the Constitution? As the international community faces epoch-making changes, the foundations of the international order are shaken and the global community stands at a historic crossroads.
As Japan finds itself in a more severe and complex security situation since the end of World War II, it is increasingly important to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law. In response to this situation, Japan has formulated a new National Security Strategy, which stresses diplomacy as the first pillar among the main elements of national power comprehensively viewed for Japan’s security.
Japan will implement robust diplomacy in order to prevent crises early and actively create a peaceful and stable international environment. Will work to improve the security environment across the country through the consistent implementation of strategic approaches, including strengthening the Japan-US alliance, cooperation with each country in the international community—including further promotion of measures for the realization of a region free and open Indo-Pacific—and diplomacy with neighboring countries and regions.
Finally, regarding the amendment to the Constitution, Parliament will present a proposal and the population will decide by vote. The issue must be decided in the context of an in-depth national debate.
In light of recent trends in the international community regarding China, will Japan continue to be just an ally of the US or will it seek a more independent position? The Japan-US alliance remains the bedrock of Japan’s foreign and national security policy. China’s current foreign postures, military and other activities have become a serious concern for Japan and the international community, posing the greatest unprecedented strategic challenge to ensuring the peace and security of Japan and the world.
Japan must respond with its national power and in cooperation with allies to strengthen an order based on the rule of law. We will establish a constructive and stable relationship with China through multi-level communication, in which Japan will continue to assert its position and call for responsible action, while maintaining dialogue, including on disputes, and cooperation on matters of common interest.
Furthermore, I believe that the stability of relations between the US and China is extremely important to the international community. At a time when the regional security context is becoming increasingly complex, the Japan-US alliance is relevant to not allow the attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in East Asia.
Based on this common understanding, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and I have confirmed in successive meetings that we will continue to work together to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the US-Japan alliance.
As China continues to revise its Covid-zero policy, Japan-China economic relations are more important than ever. On the other hand, competition between the US and China in the economic field, such as in the semiconductor industry, has intensified. What scenario does the Japanese government see in relation to Beijing? At present, relations between Japan and China have the potential for cooperation in various areas, and at the same time face many challenges and concerns. However, both Japan and China have important responsibilities to the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community. As I mentioned, Japan will build a constructive and stable relationship with China.
China is Japan’s biggest trading partner and the number of Japanese companies operating in China exceeds 30,000. On economic relations, dialogue and practical cooperation should be pursued appropriately, taking into account Japan’s national interests.
Furthermore, it is important that China, as the economic powerhouse it has become, firmly shoulder its responsibilities. From this perspective, at the leaders’ meeting in November in Bangkok, the two sides agreed that mutually beneficial cooperation in sectors such as the green economy is possible.
To that end, Japan pointed out the importance of China ensuring a transparent, predictable and fair business environment and guaranteeing the legitimate business activities of Japanese companies. Japan also strongly urged the Chinese side to lift import restrictions on Japanese food products as soon as possible. In the future, we intend to hold the High-Level Economic Dialogue as soon as possible, to be chaired by me on the Japanese side and assisted by ministers from Japan and China.
X-ray | Yoshimasa Hayashi, 61
Born in Shimonoseki, he is the fourth generation of a political family. He started in public life advising his father, who was then Minister of Finance, in 1992. He worked at the Ministries of Defense (2008) and of Fiscal Economic Policy (2009), under Prime Minister Taro Aso. In the Shinzo Abe administration, he was Minister of Agriculture (2012-14 and 2015) and Education (2017-18). Since November 2021, he has been Chancellor of the Fumio Kishida government.
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
