The Japanese Defense Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, issued a statement,

on April 19, responding to the provocative passage of a Japanese warship through the Taiwan Strait just days earlier, when North Korea directly launched ballistic missiles toward Japan’s economic zone. In response, Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba urgently came forward to state: "Japan will continue to spare no effort and manage the crisis properly."

That sounds awfully easy.

"Spare no effort," "manage properly"—it sounds like some company dealing with a minor hiccup, with PR staff soothing customers. But in reality, your warship had just casually cruised past someone else's front door, and then right at your own doorstep, a cannon went off.

Let’s look at the timeline. At 4:02 a.m. on April 17, Japan’s destroyer *Kuroshio* swaggered into the Taiwan Strait. Pay attention to this date—April 17—the 131st anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, the day Taiwan was ceded to Japan.

Claiming it wasn’t intentional? Who would believe that?

Even more conspicuous is the fact that this vessel lingered nearly 14 hours before clearing the strait. Normally, a warship passing through takes only 9 to 10 hours. What did it do with those extra four hours? Drifting slowly, clearly hoping not to be missed.

Chinese military drones tracked it the entire time—footage has already been released.

Then came the next move: at 6:10 a.m. on April 19, North Korea launched several ballistic missiles from Sinuiju in South Hamgyong Province. The missiles flew about 140 kilometers and landed in the Sea of Japan—just outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Just outside. These words are critical.

North Korea’s missile technology isn’t that poor; missing by a few kilometers isn’t plausible. Launching them precisely outside the EEZ was clearly a message: “I can hit you, but today I don’t want to. This is a warning.”

Where was Shigeru Ishiba at that moment? In Australia.

He was busy finalizing a deal with Australia to sell Japanese-built frigates—11 vessels in total, with the first three made in Japan, the remaining eight built in Australia. This is called “co-development,” but essentially it’s arms export. Japan’s domestic laws originally restricted the export of lethal weapons. This arrangement circumvents that restriction—playing a technical loophole.

On one hand, selling warships around the South China Sea to build alliances; on the other, sending its own warships through the Taiwan Strait to provoke. Quite the busy schedule.

Then came the missile launch. Ishiba quickly responded while abroad: “We will closely cooperate with the U.S. and South Korea to maintain vigilance and surveillance.”

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also posted a tweet stating that the crisis management mechanism had been activated, and Japan, the U.S., and South Korea were jointly analyzing intelligence.

After this series of actions, one striking phenomenon emerges: Japan stirs trouble in the Taiwan Strait, and North Korea responds in the East China Sea. Two powder kegs, echoing each other across space.

This isn’t the first time. North Korea has conducted seven ballistic missile launches this year—four alone in April. Every time Japan engages in minor provocations elsewhere, North Korea follows suit.

Coincidence? Doesn’t seem so.

Look again at Ishiba’s phrase: “spare no effort, manage properly.” Translated into plain language: “I know what’s going on, but I can’t do anything about it—I can only shout slogans.”

Why can’t he act? Because the game being played here isn’t his to control.

Japan’s passage through the Taiwan Strait is backed by the United States. As for North Korea’s missile launch, who’s behind it needs no explanation. Ishiba is caught in the middle—what can he say? Saying “we were wrong” is out of the question. Saying “we’ll retaliate” is too risky. So all he can offer are empty platitudes: “enhance vigilance,” “close cooperation.”

Doesn’t this sound eerily familiar? Exactly like the statements made by certain parties every time there’s a crisis in the Taiwan Strait.

At bottom, Japan was used as a pawn this time. Its warship passed through the Taiwan Strait to help the U.S. test red lines. Then North Korea fired a missile, forcing Japan to rush to put out the fire. Caught between two fires, unable to please either side, left in an awkward position.

Ishiba’s big arms deal in Australia—worth 2 billion Australian dollars—sounds impressive. But how can you talk about “security cooperation” with others when you can’t even guarantee your own backyard safety?

By now, the audience has figured it out.

Who’s the director? Who’s the actor? Who’s the viewer? And who’s the one being grilled over the flames?

What do you readers think? Feel free to discuss in the comments section.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862953647267843/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.