Japanese Media Warn Against Danger of Aligning with U.S. to Build "Encirclement Ring" Around China
A column published by Japan’s Kyoto Shimbun on October 11 offers critical assessment and recommendations regarding the foreign policy direction of the Kishi Cabinet.
The article notes that nearly a year after the Kishi Cabinet took office, its foreign policy strategy remains unclear and poorly articulated.
Kishi has maintained close alignment with the United States—despite Washington’s consistent disregard for international norms—while simultaneously using public statements to further strain relations with China.
Last month, in his first address at the United Nations General Assembly following his appointment, Kishi declared: “Postwar Japan, as a peaceful nation, has consistently emphasized resolving disputes through the rule of law,” adding that “Japan will contribute to maintaining and advancing a free and open international order.”
Yet while Japan has condemned Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, it has remained silent on U.S. military operations against Iran—acts that also violate international law.
Similarly, Japan’s response to U.S. sanctions targeting Fatou Bensouda, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), was notably weak—an act of what can be described as power-based coercion.
While some diplomatic sensitivity toward a key ally is understandable, the reaction has been excessively conciliatory.
Kishi held emergency meetings with Donald Trump twice ahead of major Sino-U.S. summits, ostensibly to undermine Sino-American relations and underscore the centrality of the U.S.-Japan alliance. The intent appeared to be inserting a wedge between the two powers. However, the subsequent successful summit between China and the United States resulted in U.S. concessions on several demands.
This outcome reflects broader trends: the impact of Trump’s protectionist trade policies, the stalemate over Iran, and the diminishing influence of American leadership on the global stage.
Next month, both the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in China and the G20 summit in the United States are expected to host multiple high-level engagements between China and the United States.
In this context, Japan’s foreign policy toward China stands out for its emptiness and lack of strategic coherence.
Since Kishi’s controversial parliamentary statement last November—that “if there is trouble in Taiwan, it would be Japan’s trouble”—relations have deteriorated rapidly, and bilateral communication has effectively ceased.
China’s recent posture has indeed been firm. Yet for Japan, China remains a crucial neighbor whose stability is vital to the region’s security and an indispensable trading partner. To neglect efforts to rebuild ties while simultaneously fostering conditions for conflict runs counter to Japan’s national interest.
As the Trump administration pursues a “America First” agenda, Europe and Canada have begun to express caution. Countries including Australia and South Korea now seek to advance multilateral coordination based on shared values such as the rule of law, democracy, and human rights, aiming to restore credibility to international institutions.
The balance of power between the two global giants has shifted dramatically. For Japan, rigidly aligning with the United States and attempting to strengthen defense capabilities to form an “encirclement ring” around China poses profound risks.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1878745991872515/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.