Speaking ahead of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit this week, Mr Abe on Thursday described China's move as an attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo in the region by coercive measures.
Last month, China heightened tensions by announcing the zone over the East China Sea.
Mr Abe said China's establishment of the Air Defence Identification Zone is a dangerous act and a problematic one. It may escalate tensions and cause unintended consequences.
Beijing wants aircraft entering the zone to provide a flight plan to Chinese authorities.
And Mr Abe is determined to defend resolutely its territory.
Mr Abe said: "Japan has repeatedly demanded China to revoke any measures that could infringe the freedom of flight in international airspace.
“In addition, the air zone includes the airspace over Senkaku islands, which is part of Japanese territory. This is as if it was a part of China's territorial airspace, and Japan can never accept this."
However, Mr Abe said he is open to dialogue with China to resolve the issue.
He said:"If I may refer to Japan and China bilateral relations, it is rather tough and difficult, but Japan-China relations is inseparable.
“Based on common strategic interests, we wish to further develop Japan-China relations, and the door of dialogue is always open and I hope and expect China to take the same attitude."
Mr Abe added he intends to work and coordinate together with ASEAN to maintain the freedom of flight in international airspace.
- In the past one year since Prime Minister Abe assumed office, he has visited all 10 ASEAN countries. This certainly bodes well for Japan-ASEAN relations.
- Mr Abe will meet Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday where both leaders are expected to further strengthen bilateral ties.
- CNA/nd
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/japan-will-respond-firmly/920158.html
12/12/13
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Related:
Japan issues video promoting its Diaoyu Islands claims. -Senkaku/Diaoyu issue, video in 12 languages
U.S. urges China to set up hotline with Japan, S Korea. -State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf
Joe Biden: China air zone raises risk of accidents. -Senkaku/Diaoyu issue
Shinzo Abe: U.S. gov't did not ask airlines to give flight notice to China. -Senkaku/Diaoyu issue
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Japan and Asean nations seek 'freedom of overflight'....
ReplyDeleteJapan and SE Asian leaders have pledged to work together to ensure "freedom of overflight" in the region, in a move seen as a mild rebuke to China.
The announcement came at a summit in Tokyo, weeks after China's declaration of a new air defence zone overlapping areas claimed by Japan and South Korea.
Japan has been rallying support from 10 Asean nations, some of whom also have territorial disputes with China.
Earlier, PM Shinzo Abe unveiled a $20bn (£12bn) package of aid and loans.
It is part of Japan's apparent efforts to court its southern neighbours against a backdrop of Chinese expansion in the region.
The Tokyo summit marks 40 years of Japan's ties with the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean).
Indonesia said good China-Japan ties were "critical" for the region.
'Unimpeded commerce'
Japanese and Asean leaders "agreed to enhance co-operation in ensuring freedom of overflight and civil aviation safety", said a passage in their statement quoted by AFP news agency.
The statement does not single out any particular country but is thought to be an allusion to the air defence zone above the East China Sea - the Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) - unilaterally declared by China last month.
China had said that aircraft flying through the ADIZ - which covers an area containing disputed islands not controlled by China - must follow its rules, including filing flight plans and identifying themselves.
But it insists the ADIZ is not a no-flight zone.
The statement also refers "to the importance of maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region and promoting maritime security and safety, freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce, exercise of self-restraint and resolution of disputes by peaceful means"............http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25345156
14/12/13
China denounces 'slanderous' air zone remarks by Abe....
ReplyDeleteBEIJING —
China on Sunday rejected as “slanderous” a renewed call by Japan’s premier for Beijing to rescind its controversial air defense zone, the latest salvo in a territorial dispute that has increased friction in the region.
Beijing’s retort came hours after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at a Japan-ASEAN summit in Tokyo on Saturday that he was “deeply concerned” by China’s establishment of the air zone and that he believed “many” leaders of Southeast Asian countries attending the meeting shared his view.
“We express strong dissatisfaction with the Japanese leader’s use of an international meeting to make slanderous remarks about China,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement posted online.
He added that Japan’s “attempt to promote a double standard and mislead international public opinion is doomed to fail.”
“The one that has unilaterally changed the status quo over the Diaoyu islands is none other than Japan itself,” Hong said.
“In this regard, China has taken lawful and necessary measures to safeguard its sovereign territory and is fully justified and blameless.”
China last month declared an air defense identification zone over an area of the East China Sea which includes the disputed Tokyo-controlled islands, which Japan calls the Senkakus, in a move that ratcheted up an already-tense situation.
Saturday’s Japan-ASEAN summit was the first major gathering of Asian leaders since China’s move to assert its power over the skies near its southeast coast.
In a joint statement, the heads of state on Saturday encouraged Japan’s “proactive contribution to peace” and announced that they had “agreed to enhance cooperation in ensuring freedom of overflight and civil aviation safety”, language viewed as a cautious show of support for Tokyo.
The back-and-forth between Tokyo and Beijing also comes after reports that a Chinese naval vessel nearly collided with a U.S. warship in the South China Sea on Dec 5.
The USS Cowpens, a guided missile cruiser, was forced to maneuver to avoid a collision with the Chinese ship that had crossed directly in front of it and halted, according to U.S. naval officers and defense officials.
China’s amphibious dock ship came within 500 meters of the U.S. warship, a defense official said. Chinese officials have not issued any comment on the incident.
(c) 2015 AFP
http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/china-denounces-slanderous-air-zone-remarks-by-abe
15/12/13
Japan passes new defense policy package amid regional concerns...
ReplyDeleteTOKYO, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese cabinet approved a defense policy package Tuesday to further expand its military might amid increasing regional concerns about its right-leaning politics and surging nationalism.
The defense package includes the national security strategy, the defense program guidelines and a five-year defense buildup plan that envisions 24.7 trillion yen (240 billion U.S. dollars) of military spending in 2014-2019, a 5-percent increase over the five years ending March 2014.
In the document of national security strategy, the government states Japan will seek more "proactive" security roles for the Self-Defense Forces abroad, and will set new guidelines on arms exports, signaling a major shift from the country's previous restrictive policy.
The strategy also put emphasis on a strong Japan-U.S. security alliance as a counterbalance to security threats to Japan.
The 10-year defense program guidelines and the five-year defense buildup plan, together with the overarching national security strategy, are part of hawkish Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's broader drive to raise the country's defense profile.
Since Abe took office, his government has taken an irresponsible approach to Japan's war history by refusing to apologize to its Asian neighbors and trying to revise the country's pacifist constitution.
Japanese politicians' visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, where 14 World War II class-A convicted war criminals are enshrined, have angered Japan's neighbors such as China and South Korea.
In September 2012, Japan unilaterally altered the status quo in the East China Sea by announcing a purchase deal of the Diaoyu Islands of China. The move has since led to increased regional tensions and revived concerns about Japan's militaristic past.
http://english.cntv.cn/20131217/103638.shtml
17/12/13
China denounces Japanese military strategy....
DeleteChina has denounced Japan's new national security strategy, accusing it of military expansion.
Defence Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said in a statement that the move would increase regional tensions, state news agency Xinhua reported.
Earlier this week, Japan said it would buy advanced equipment including drones and amphibious vehicles.
It comes as Tokyo is embroiled in a bitter row with Beijing over islands in the East China Sea that both claim.
"China is firmly opposed to Japan's relevant actions," said Mr Geng.
He accused Tokyo of using its national security as a pretext for military expansion.
The statement said Japan's security policy caused "great concerns" among neighbouring countries.
The announcement of more Japanese military spending came weeks after China established an air defence identification zone over a swathe of the East China Sea, including islands controlled by Japan.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he wants Japan to broaden the scope of activities performed by the military - something currently tightly controlled by the post-war constitution.
Over the five years, Japan plans to buy anti-missile destroyers, submarines, 52 amphibious vehicles, surveillance drones, US fighter planes and 17 Boeing Osprey aircraft, capable of vertical take-off.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Japan ranks fifth in the world for military spending while China is in second place behind the US.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25475418
21/12/13
Chinese military reacts angrily to Japan swelling defence force....Tokyo deal for naval destroyers, drones and jet fighters described as aggression harking back to cold war mentality....
DeleteThe Chinese army has criticised Japan's plans to increase defence spending, accusing Tokyo of raising regional tensions under the pretext of safeguarding national security.
Geng Yansheng, a spokesman for China's ministry of defence said in a statement posted on Saturday on the ministry website that it resolutely opposes the five-year defence plan.
Under the arrangement adopted on Tuesday, Japan would purchase its first surveillance drones, as well as more jet fighters and naval destroyers, and set up a unit of marines.
China's strongly worded statement reflects the increasingly hawkish stance taken by its military amid a bitter dispute with Japan over uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.
Geng accused Japan of maintaining a cold-war mentality that runs counter to the trends of peaceful development, co-operation and mutual benefit.
Geng said that on the one hand, Japan claimed that it respects freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, but on the other hand, it repeatedly denied its history of aggression during the second world war, challenged the postwar international order and hurt the feeling of the people of the war-victim countries.
"As a nation that can not reflect on its history, what qualification does Japan have to speak about freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law? How can the country make contributions to the world peace?" he said.
"Japan has on the one hand claimed to strengthen international co-ordination, safeguard peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and make efforts to ensure security and prosperity of the international community, but on the other hand it sticks to the cold war mentality and beefed up military alliances with relevant countries."
Geng also accused Japan of trying to woo other countries to create regional confrontation and enflame the regional situation.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/21/chinese-military-angry-japan-defence
21/12/13
Abe says it is time to revise pacifist constitution...
ReplyDeleteTOKYO —Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday reaffirmed his resolve to change the nation’s pacifist constitution imposed by the U.S. after Japan’s defeat in World War II.
In a New Year message to the nation, Abe said: “As it has been 68 years since its enactment now, national debate should be further deepened toward a revision of the constitution to grasp the changing times. Now is the time for Japan to take a big step forward toward a new nation-building effort.”
Abe said the constitution, which limits Japan’s military to self-defense could be amended by 2020, “will have been revised” by 2020 when Tokyo hosts the Summer Olympics.
His comments come days after he enraged Asian neighbors and disappointed Washington by visiting a Tokyo shrine honoring the country’s war dead, including World War II leaders, and been seen abroad as a symbol of Japan’s militaristic past.
“By 2020, I think Japan will have completely restored its status and been making great contributions to peace and stability in the region and the world,” he said.
He added that Japan’s elevated status could possibly help Asia become a “balanced and stable region”.
Abe took power a year ago in an election landslide as Japan faced China’s increasingly assertive military posture amid a fierce territorial dispute with Beijing over Tokyo-controlled islands.
He initially focused on improving the economy with stimulus packages, mixing big-spending and easy money policies.
In recent months, he has turned to his more conservative agenda, passing a state secrecy law which critics say is a threat to democracy in Japan.
On his security policy, Abe said, “We will resolutely protect to the end Japan’s territorial land, sea and air.”
Abe has long agitated for the amendment of a key article in the constitution that limits its military to self-defense and bans the use of force in settling international disputes.
The country’s well-funded and well-equipped military is referred to as the Self-Defense Forces (SDF).
Abe has said he would like to look into making the SDF a full-fledged military, a plan that sets alarm bells ringing in Asian countries subject to Japan’s occupation in the first half of the 20th century.
In his first policy as prime minister last year, Abe said he would look to change a provision which requires a two-thirds majority in the Diet to amend the basic law.
In his New Year message, Abe said the launch of a U.S.-style National Security Council in December would help promote his “proactive pacifism” as a “‘signboard of the 21st century’ which should be borne by our country.”
(c) 2014 AFP
http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/abe-says-it-is-time-to-revise-pacifist-constitution
1/1/14
Abe is moved by kamikaze film....
ReplyDeleteAccording to one of Japan’s leading newspaper, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spent part of New Year's eve watching a movie that celebrates the life of a pilot from the kamikaze team. The film tells the story of a Japanese pilot who launched a suicide attack on the US military during the Second World War. Abe told the newspaper he was "moved" by the drama.
"Eien no zero" tells the story of Kyuzo Miyabe, a young Kamikaze pilot who is obsessed with life and terrified of death. He is repeatedly scolded by his superior officers for being reluctant to participate in the war in the pacific. |In the end Miyabe follows orders and carries out a suicide attack against a US aircraft carrier.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he was moved by the story.. a comment that has attracted critics who believe the film casts the country’s militarist past in a positive light.
The so-called "Kamikaze team" was a suicide squad made up of Japanese youth who were mainly sixteen and seventeen year olds. Most of the members had been indoctrinated in a fanatical militaristic ideology. The squad was established in 1944, when the Japanese army suffered crushing defeats in the Asia-Pacific during World War Two. The Kamikaze pilots were ordered to launch suicide attacks by flying their planes directly into US ships.............http://english.cntv.cn/program/asiatoday/20140102/105955.shtml
2/1/13
China criticized Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday for drawing an analogy between Russia's behavior in Crimea and China's actions in the disputed East and South China Seas, accusing Abe of hypocrisy.......
ReplyDeleteJapan's Kyodo news agency said Abe raised the issue at a G7 meeting in The Hague this month, warning that China was trying to change the status quo through coercion, and said something similar to Russia's seizing of Crimea could happen in Asia.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said those comments were completely out of place, and launched a personal attack on Abe himself, using unusually strong language.
"We've long since said that this Japanese leader on the one hand hypocritically proposes improving Sino-Japan ties and on the other says bad things about China wherever he is internationally. These comments again expose his true face," Hong told a daily news briefing.
"He tries in vain on the international stage to mislead the public with prevarication and deliberate falsehoods and blacken China's name. But this cannot pull the wool over the eyes of the international community," he added.
Hong said it was Japan who had "illegally snatched" uninhabited islands, called the Diaoyu by China and the Senkaku by Japan, at the center of the territorial dispute.......Read more: http://indian.ruvr.ru/news/2014_03_28/China-angrily-denounces-Japan-for-Russia-Crimea-analogy-2194/
28/3/14