Japan’s Koizumi Defends Removal of Arms Exports Ban

Singapore, May 31 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Sunday the recent revisions of the country’s three principles on defense equipment transfers and their implementation guidelines, which have basically made its arms exports possible, are designed to “tangibly strengthen deterrence and response capabilities of the region.” In an address at the Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore, Koizumi rebutted China’s criticism of Japan as pursuing new militarism, saying that the Chinese argument is wrong. Regarding arms exports, Koizumi cited the need to “ensure the seamless provision of necessary equipment and capabilities to the region as a whole.” He also stressed the importance of avoiding a situation in which “necessary items run short and logistics is cut off” in times of crises. Japan wants to be “a reliable partner” so that each country can defend itself on its own and contribute to regional stability, he said. “Japan is hoping to serve as a connecting point that bring together the efforts of the region,” he stressed. Apparently referring to China, Koizumi said, “There is a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers,” adding: “Japan has neither of such weapons. And yet Japan is labeled ‘new militarism.’ Isn’t it strange?” “Japan’s path as a peace-loving nation has been valued by the region and by the international community,” Koizumi said. “This fact will not be shaken by false claims.” Apparently with China in mind, Koizumi said that military coercion is intensifying in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and that the security environment in the Indo-Pacific region is becoming increasingly severe, calling for the strengthening of coordination among like-minded countries. Noting progress in defense cooperation between Japan and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other programs and efforts in the region, Koizumi said, “We will link all these efforts to turn points into lines, and from lines into planes.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]