Japan offers Indonesia and the Philippines lethal muscle to counter China
Tokyo lifts post-WWII ban, selling frigates and submarines to Southeast Asia
Japan's defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi landed in Jakarta on Monday to sign a defence cooperation pact with Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. The trip comes hot on the heels of Tokyo's landmark decision last month to lift a decades-old ban on the export of lethal weapons. Koizumi next heads to the Philippines, where Japanese forces are currently training alongside US troops in the annual Balikatan military exercise.
Japan's policy reversal now permits weapons transfers to 17 defence partners, marking a substantial break from its post-World War II pacifist doctrine. Frigate and submarine sales are reportedly on the cards. Analysts say Empowering Southeast Asian states will raise their diplomatic bargaining power vis-a-vis China, leaving little ambiguity about whom the shift is designed to deter.
- Japan lifts post-WWII ban on lethal weapons exports, now allows transfers to 17 defence partners
- Defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi signs pact with Indonesia, heads to Philippines for Balikatan exercises
- Frigate and submarine sales reportedly planned to counter Chinese maritime ambition
Why It Matters
Japan's shift arms Southeast Asian partners, reshaping regional military balance against China.