Abe's military talk ignores the US stance

The US is obliged through its security treaty to go to Japan’s aid in the event of an attack. But the Americans do not want to be drawn into any armed conflict, especially if it involves China.

Abe, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal last week, said that in recent meetings with regional leaders, he realised that “Japan is expected to exert leadership not just on the economic front, but also in security in the Asia-Pacific”.

He said there were concerns that China is trying to change the status quo “by force, rather than by rule of law”, referring to maritime disputes in regional waters involving Beijing.

One important way a resurgent Japan could contribute is by countering China, he said.

But Abe seems to have conveniently overlooked the fact that many Asian countries were victims of his country’s past military aggression and are nervous about his plan to revise the constitution to boost the role of its military.

Abe’s talk about making Japan stronger appears partly to be flag-waving aimed at winning support from Japanese who share his nationalistic views.

Asked about the pullback in US participation in the region, most notably President Barack Obama's no-show at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings early this month, Abe did not give a direct answer.

Concerned by Abe’s belligerent stance, the US has urged Japan to mend ties with China.

The two neighbours are at odds over rival claims to islets in the East China Sea known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. Beijing has refused to hold summit talks unless Tokyo acknowledges the dispute.

Abe’s obsession with praying at the Yasukuni war shrine has also made him unwelcome in Beijing.

On Monday, China kept up the pressure, sending four coast guard vessels into waters around the disputed islets. Responding at the weekend to reports that Tokyo was ready to down its drones, Beijing said such action would be tantamount to an “act of war”.

Commenting on the Chinese reaction, government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said that Japan will “resolutely” defend its land, sea and air.

Meanwhile, Abe’s remarks were met with scorn and anger in China, with state media and analysts belittling Japan’s ability to contain China’s rise. The Global Times said in a hard-hitting editorial on Monday that war could loom following Japan’s provocation, and asserted that China’s military power is stronger than Japan’s. It also said China will be able to bear the economic blow better than Japan.

State-run newspapers on Sunday carried front-page reports on China’s nuclear-armed submarines. The submarines are involved in the navy’s ongoing exercises in the western Pacific.