THE FOREIGN POLICY INITIATIVE FPI PODCAST: UNDERSTADING JAPAN S NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: AN INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN IZURU IKEUCHI BY HIDETOSHI AZUMA, FPI POLICY INTERN Friday, December, 0 :0 p.m. The Foreign Policy Initiative Dupont Circle, NW Suite Washington, DC 00 (0) - info@foreignpolicyi.org
P R O C E E D I N G S FPI PODCAST: UNDERSTADING JAPAN S NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: AN INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN IZURU IKEUCHI BY HIDETOSHI AZUMA, FPI POLICY INTERN 0 MR. AZUMA: Understanding Japan s National Security Strategy. In December 0, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made headlines when he launched a National Security Council (NSC) modeled after its American counterpart and released Japan s first National Security Strategy and updated defense spending plans. These moves come as Japan faces new security challenges, to include an increasingly unpredictable and nuclear-armed North Korea, as well as China s declaration in November 0 of an Air Defense Identification Zone that includes Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Captain Izuru Ikeuchi, a career officer of Japan s Maritime Self Defense Force who is currently serving as Naval Attaché at the Embassy of Japan in the United States, about these developments, and what they mean for the US-Japan alliance.
0 (Recorded interview begins.) MS. AZUMA: On behalf of the Foreign Policy Initiative, I thank you for joining me today for this conversation about your government s recent national security initiatives. To begin with, the Government of Prime Minister Shinzo ABE just issued Japan s first National Security Strategy and also formed Japan s first National Security Council. What is motivating the Abe Government to do this now? CAPTAIN IKEUCHI: Well, thank you very much for having me today. As you pointed out, both the National Security Strategy and the National Security Council were established in December this year and for the first time in Japan s history. Rather than what has motivated PM Abe, there have been continued discussions over the need for the national security strategy and the national security council for at least a couple of years, and consequently, both the strategy and the council came in place. MR. AZUMA: Very well, Could you explain to our listeners what a National Security Strategy document is? CAPTAIN IKEUCHI: Yes, the National Security Strategy describes Japan s strategic approaches to accomplish its national security goals based on the new
0 idea of proactive contributor to peace, which was created under PM Abe s leadership. The Strategy puts foreign and defense policies at its center. But in a broader sense, this Strategy is really something that refers to comprehensive, whole-of-government approaches to include development, global issues, human security, free trade, energy, and environment among others. MR. AZUMA: Sounds like Abe san is a strong leader. CAPTAIN IKEUCHI: Yes, he is very much. MR. AZUMA: What major points should Americans take away from this new document, with an eye towards the Japanese Self-Defense Force s growing set of roles and missions in the U.S.-Japan alliance?. CAPTAIN IKEUCHI: Yes, there are two points. Number one; the Strategy focuses on Japan s own efforts, namely strengthening its own capabilities and expanding its own roles. However, I would like to emphasize that strengthening of the Japan-U.S. alliance is also given top priority. So, the Self Defense Force s growing set of roles and missions will be determined in close consultation with the U.S. and in line with the alliance. The Strategy also puts importance on multinational cooperation. Japan s looking at strengthening relations
0 with partner nations, such as the Republic of Korea, Australia, ASEAN nations, and India. Number two; the Strategy will not bring around a sharp, rapid expansion of the Self-Defense Force s roles or missions. The Self- Defense Forces will continue to defense Japan as its most important core mission. In addition to this traditional mission, the Self-Defense Forces will be engaged in such new areas as maritime security, cyber, and outer space. MR. AZUMA: Tell us more about Japan s new National Security Council? Who is leading it, and what sorts of officials will work on it? What role will the National Security Council play in Prime Minister Abe s decision-making? CAPTAIN IKEUCHI: Yes, the National Security Council itself is based within the cabinet, and the members of the Council are limited to the members of the cabinet. This Council was renewed in December, but a similar council has existed for a long time. What is really new about the National Security Council is the newly established National Security Bureau that is a staff organization to support the prime minister regarding the basic foreign and defense policies of Japan, and is placed under the Cabinet Secretariat. This Bureau is led by the Director-General of the National Security Bureau who will
0 be a senior government official. This Bureau reports to the prime minister through the Chief Cabinet Secretary. The Bureau has some active-duty officers from the Self- Defense Forces, which is also a significant new step. MR. AZUMA: Very well, the last question, Captain. How will the Abe Government s new National Security Strategy and new National Security Council help Japan to work with the United States and deal with the Asia-Pacific region s growing security challenges? I d add that many Americans still trying to understand what the region s future holds, especially after China asserted a so-called air defense identification zone, or ADIZ, over the East China Sea and over the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands? CAPTAIN IKEUCHI: Well, first of all, the National Security Strategy makes two points very clear. Number one; the Japan-U.S. alliance has functioned as a strong foundation or cornerstone to the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region for decades. Number two; Japan is strongly committed to the alliance into the future as well. In other words, the National Security Strategy ensures that Japan will closely coordinate and cooperate with the U.S. to maintain the regional stability to include dealings with new security challenges in an
0 allied manner. The new National Security Council and the National Security Bureau will support prime minister s decision-making in those coordination and cooperation with the U.S. Now, you asked questions about China s establishment of its Air Defense Identification Zone, or the ADIZ. Well, certainly China is a very important country and the neighbor of Japan. And, for Japan to maintain a stable relation with China is indispensible to the peace and stability of the region. From broader, longterm viewpoints, Japan is making and will continue to make every single effort to establish a strategic and mutually beneficial relation with China. On the other hand, to any kind of attempt to unilaterally change the status quo, Japan will respond firmly but in a calm manner without escalating situations. Thank you very much. MR. AZUMA: Thank you very much, Captain. Sounds like Abe san s new National Security Strategy is a major development for our alliance, isn t it? CAPTAIN IKEUCHI: Well, it is very much, and we all are encouraged by all these new developments. Thank you very much. MR. AZUMA: Thank you, Captain Ikeuchi, for your insights today. Thank you very much.
(Recorded interview ends.) MR. AZUMA: The Asia Pacific has become the world s economic powerhouse as well as the theater of great power competition. China s rise, in particular, has accelerated the region s reorientation in these directions. President Obama s Asia rebalancing policy is in line with such regional trends. Against this backdrop, PM Shinzo Abe s latest defense initiatives, including National Security Strategy, show Japan s renewed commitment to the US-Japan alliance. Japan s new security agenda is expected to augment US forward presence in the region and contribute to the peace and stability of the burgeoning Asia-Pacific. Hidetoshi Azuma, The Foreign Policy Initiative. Thank you for listening. (End.)