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Angry Chinese Blogger:
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Upping the stakes: Japan to move ahead with controversial missile system in the face of Chinese concerns
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"The time has come to move to the development
phase," Ono
Yoshinori, Defense Agency |
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The announcement, made during, the Asia Security Conference Singapore will see the next generation missile defense moving out of the ‘blue sky’ phase, and in to a stage where the practical elements will begin to be brought together to produce a working anti-missile screen.
According to Ono, development proper is likely to begin mid 2006.
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"I
would like to have arrangements made within the [ |
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The specific missile defense system, a sea based missile detection and intercept network, is part of US President Bush’s ‘son of Starwars’ initiative, of which Japan, along with Israel, is a significant partner.
Chinese Concerns
While Beijing has traditionally seen any movement or change in Japan’s military as being a threat, and has often denounced streamlining and troop realignments as being tantamount to a continuation of Japan’s aggression during and prior to WWII, the development of a practical missile defense system so close to its borders is of real concern to Beijing, not least of all because of Japan’s strategic location, north of Chinese Taiwan, and because of Tokyo's suffocatingly tight relationship with the Bush administration.
Though the new system is billed as being an entirely defensive measure it holds several significant concerns for China one of which is that, any missile shield deployed by the Tokyo government, could later be extended to cover Chinese Taiwan.
Another concern for Beijing is that a Japanese missile shield would be used to protect US forces stationed in Japan from a first strike, or counter strike, by long ranged Chinese missiles; effectively reducing China’s ability to launch a first wave missile strike against the military forces that stand between it and direct control over its ‘problem province’.
Beijing’s concerns, over a Japanese missile shield, have been heightened, and some would say validated, by a recent defense deal between the US and Chinese Taiwan, over the sale of a tactical radar system that could potentially be linked to Japan and Washington’s own early warning networks; effectively integrating the islands theatre defense system with those of deployed by Japan and America and creating a regional defense and detection network that could substantially undermine Beijing’s ability to exert military force in the region.
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"They
[The Chinese Government] are afraid that eventually it [The Taiwanese tactical radar systems] would be upgraded to theatre missile defense systems and
that theatre missile defense would be linked in to Banning
Garrett, Asian strategic expert. |
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Ono’s announcement less than a year after the US firing of an experimental anti-missile laser system, budded ‘First Light’, and an the announcement that the US is to deploy a taskforce of 15 Aegis [anti-missile] vessels in waters close to North China by 2006. A move that begun with the deployment of the USS Curtis Wilbur, an Arleigh Burke class destroyer, in waters between Japan and North Korea.
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"The U.S. Navy plans to deploy 15 Aegis destroyers
and three missile cruisers in the Media Release, Washington |
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Despite primarily being a missile defense vessel, the Curtis Wilbur can be equipped with long ranged missiles capable of carrying medium yield tactical nuclear warheads, and could quickly be repositioned to strike against targets on China’s east coast, including military port facilities in Dalian, or to lend support to a ‘Taiwan campaign’.
Wider Controversy
Bush’s missile defense initiative has not only raised concerns in Asia, but has also caused wide spread controversy in the wider world, with a number of government seeking to be included in the scheme and others denouncing the planned system as flying in the face of the international Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty, and as being likely to trigger regional arms races as countries outside the ‘missile shield’ seek to acquire the means to defeat their neighbors missile defenses.
A False Sense of Security?
Some opponents to ‘Son of Starwars have also claimed the 'son of Starwars' system it is a waste of money designed to give American voters a sense of security against a treat that may not even exist.
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“[The} claim that terrorist groups could launch
missiles at the The Guardian Newspapers, |
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A Big Fat Bull’s Eye
Some ppponents to missile defense have voiced strong concern that Bush’s planned defense system may make their countries a target for a retaliation anti-US strike, or for terrorist attacks by those opposed to the US. With nations worrying that if they allow US anti-missile technology on their soil, then they could be attacked as a precursor or a component of a strike on the US,
Such fears are particularly tangible in Japan, because it is currently ‘playing host’ to a sizable US force and is in striking range of both China and North Korea; both of which are seen as potential threats by an increasingly antagonistic US administration. Leading many people to fear that Tokyo's envolvement with Washington is likely to lead to Japan being dragged into a conflict that is not of its making.
The development of a missile defense system has sparked protest in Japan, where many see it as being an antagonistic move, with little respect for history, that is in direct contravention to article 9 of the constitution.
There are also concerns in Japan over the potential for the missile system to be expanded, or to be exported, directly to Chinese Taiwan; a move that would dramatically destabilize Sino-Japanese relations.
Interesting stuff. Thanks for that ACB.
I wasn't aware of the deployment of the 15 Aegis vessels in the Sea of Japan/PAcific.
Japan coming fully under the umbrella of Son of Star Wars by next year, although it was definitely on the cards, will seriously, seriously piss off Beijing.
I wouldn't be surprised if Taiwan covertly (is it possible?) received more anti-missile protection in the future as it would serve as a useful way of preventing or at least providing early warning of a Chinese missile attack.
I suppose all this is a natural response to China's recent economic/military improvement. It's inevitable that the US/allies will change to accommodate a rising China where before there was absolutely nothing.
It's interesting to see South Korea drifting away from the US but Japan edging closer towards it. It will also be interesting to see how the rest of Asia eventually fits into the puzzle.
I'm sure that it's Chinese stupidity and overall short-sightedness (anti-Japan protests, increased "scolding" by Beijing of Japan etc) and not just the potential North Korea threat which is making Tokyo move more firmly into the US camp.
I now see earlier predictions of Japan turning into the "Great Britan of East Asia" as being a real possibility now.
Oh well, China certainly can't have it both ways.
MaDing/Martyn
Hey there,
FYI
I know I'm repeating points already made, but what the heck did the Chinese
Gov't think would happen if they pumped that much money into their
military? Did they think their neighbors would start sending tributes
again? come on! Of course all the surrounding countries are going to do
the same.
The West and Japan have been trying to contain China for centuries but
China is still here so keep on trying!
China's spending on arms is not even 10% of what the USA spend on its arm
forces! I have no sympathy to the communist regime but if any races think
they can contain and detroy the Chinese then they can keep on dreaming for
the next millenium!!
Ming