Japan to Supply Equipment to Armed Forces of ‘Like-Minded Countries’

Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) bring down the Japanese national flag in the early evening, at JGSDF Miyako camp on Miyako Island, Okinawa prefecture, Japan April 20, 2022. Issei Kato/Reuters

Japan on Wednesday unveiled the guidelines for its “Official Security Assistance (OSA),” which seeks to supply like-minded countries with equipment and financial assistance to help them bolster their defenses.

“The international community is facing changes defining an era, and Japan is situated in the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. (pdf)

“By enhancing their security and deterrence capabilities, OSA aims to deepen our security cooperation with the countries, to create a desirable security environment for Japan, and to contribute to maintaining and strengthening international peace and security,” it added.

The ministry stated that Japan would provide OSA in such limited fields that are “not directly relating to any international conflict,” prioritizing those deemed important to Japan’s national security and global peace.

It will take into account the country’s consolidation of democracy, rule of law, protection of basic human rights, economic and social situations, and the security needs of Japan and the region before offering OSA.

In principle, only developing countries will be eligible for the aid provided as grants, the ministry said. Malaysia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Fiji are among the eligible nations.

The ministry said the OSA will focus on surveillance in the territorial waters and airspace, disaster response, and other humanitarian assistance, as well as activities related to United Nations peacekeeping operations.

It emphasized that “Japan will oblige recipient countries to avoid any extra-purpose use of the provided equipment, supplies, and infrastructure, and not to transfer provided assistance to third parties.”

The decision to expand the scope of international aid to military-related projects follows Japan’s announcement in December of a doubling of defense spending in five years as it looks to counter China’s growing military assertiveness.

The Japanese government approved three key defense documents last year, including the National Security Strategy, which refers to the Chinese regime as Japan’s “greatest challenge.”

China’s ‘Intensification of Military Activities’ Worries Japan

During a bilateral meeting in Beijing last week, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi raised concerns over “China’s intensification of military activities around Japan”—particularly near the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands that China also claims—and China’s cooperation with Russia.

“We are facing numerous challenges and are at a critical stage. Both Japan and China are major powers that bear important responsibilities for the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community,” he said.

Hayashi said Japan was also concerned about the situation in the disputed South China Sea, where Beijing is pushing its claims on neighboring countries despite a Hague Tribunal ruling against its claims in 2016, and emphasized the need to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

A Chinese navy formation, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning (C), during military drills in the South China Sea, in an aerial photo taken on Jan. 2, 2017. STR/AFP via Getty Images

But Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned Japan to refrain from “interfering in the Taiwan issue or undermining China’s sovereignty in any form.”

He said the Taiwan issue is “at the very core of China’s core interests.”

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) claims the liberal democratic self-ruled island of Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to bring the island under its control by force if necessary.

Qin Gang said that Beijing is willing to work with Japan to “properly manage differences, remove obstacles and ease burdens for bilateral relations, and build a China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era.”

The two nations have established a direct military hotline to prevent maritime and air clashes. Japan’s Defense Ministry said the line will be used to respond to “unforeseen circumstances” and to “build trust between the two countries.”

Reuters contributed to this report.