A pressing issue…
Serizawa: If China invaded Taiwan, what would Japan do about it?
Honda: The U.S. would likely request permission from Japan to use U.S. bases to support and supply Taiwan.
Serizawa: Would Japan support the U.S.?
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| Bristling with technology |
Honda: Japan’s leaders are nowadays more able to persuade the public that the nation needs defending. The Self Defence Force is that in name only. Even the Coastguard ships for example are sophisticated and well-equipped vessels, ranking with the best in the world.
Serizawa: So Japan is moving away from being a pacifist country?
Honda: Russian and Chinese leadership policies are forcing a rethink on that and prodding Japan to seek an alliance with the U.S.
Serizawa: Are hostilities becoming more of a reality?
Honda: It would be a difficult operation for China to invade Taiwan. It could also result in Japanese military aircraft being deployed alongside US aircraft to defend and resupply Taiwan.
Serizawa: If that happened, might China retaliate by launching missiles against military bases in Japan?
Honda: We could hope that diplomacy could prevent that. And that China remains concerned with its international image, particularly among the Belt and Road countries.
Serizawa: We might hope so, but I guess nobody knows what China will do.
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Voice-over
It has been a long period of relative freedom from powerful blocs going to war against each other. But with China and Russia seeing interests in linking up, western countries sense a threat. This is leading to arms build-up and exercises. Can we rely on diplomacy or should people in the area be making contingency plans?
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