South China Sea, Diaoyus and North Korea to top agenda as Japan and Germany’s foreign, defence ministers meet with China on their mind

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi spoke with their German counterparts Heiko Maas and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer via live video link on Tuesday
It is part of Japan’s push ‘to develop new allies and alliances’ amid fears the US is faltering in its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, according to one analyst

South China Sea

Julian Ryallin Tokyo

Published: 7:06pm, 13 Apr 2021

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Japan and Germany’s first “2-plus-2” meeting between their respective foreign and defence ministers opened via live video link on Tuesday, with security and a shared concern over China’s increasingly aggressive approach to regional territorial issues set to top the agenda.

In addition to Beijing’s island building in the South China Sea and its claims to sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands, which Japan controls and refers to as the Senkakus, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi were also expected to discuss with their German counterparts Heiko Maas and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer the threat posed by North Korea, after the latter launched a number of ballistic missiles in March.

Germany’s government released a new set of Indo-Pacific policy guidelines in September and is aiming to increase its presence in the region – a development that Tokyo welcomes, according to Toshimitsu Shigemura, a professor of international relations at Tokyo’s Waseda University.

A Chinese maritime surveillance vessel is pictured passing near the Diaoyu Islands, which Japan controls and calls the Senkakus, in 2013. Photo: Kyodo

“Japan is looking to develop new allies and alliances as it was concerned when the US military commitment to the region waned under the previous president and could again in the future,” he said, adding: “Tokyo is very much looking to Europe for new security allies.”

“The UK was the first to send warships to Japanese waters a couple of years ago and the French have followed suit more recently, with a German warship now due to sail to Japan in the summer.”

Even if security ties with European nations fall short of a formal alliance, Shigemura said they will prove valuable as an extra layer of cooperation after the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or “Quad”, which unites Japan, the US, Australia and India. “The US is also in favour of this approach as it will reduce the burden on its military,” he said.

Japan, Germany’s ‘2 plus 2’ dialogue shows extent of Tokyo’s diplomatic outreach: analysts

Germany’s close economic relationship with China has raised concerns in Japan of a possible reluctance on Berlin’s part to take a firm stance against Beijing, said Shigemura, who anticipated that Tokyo would in future meetings emphasise the need for nations to be united on issues such as human rights and democracy.

James Brown, a professor of international relations at the Tokyo campus of Temple University, agreed that Japan’s outreach to European partners is part of an effort to “supplement” its alliance with the US amid concern that Washington’s power may be waning.

“A few weeks ago, Japan and Germany signed an agreement on information-sharing and now they are developing the two-plus-two format, so these are all signs that relations are better than good and that Japan now regards Germany as a significant security partner,” he said.

Beijing to Berlin: respect South China Sea sovereignty during frigate visit

Brown said he expected any statement that is released following the meeting to underline both countries’ commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific” and confirm that they are upgrading their security partnership.

Beijing will be watching developments closely, he said, but is unlikely to react too strongly at this point. A more forceful response could come if the Japanese and German militaries take part in joint training exercises, however.

A German warship is set to be deployed to Asia in August to take part in drills with units of Japan’s Self-Defence Forces. The vessel is expected to traverse the South China Sea on its return journey, which is likely to bring it into contact with Chinese military units stationed on disputed islands in the region.