Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has called for enhanced regional interconnectivity to protect the Pacific as an “Ocean of peace,” cautioning that the area is currently confronted with three intertwined security challenges. In his keynote address at the Japan-Pacific Islands Defence Dialogue (JPIDD), Koizumi emphasized the notion that the Pacific is not a dividing wall but a shared space that unites nations.
He articulated the need for collective efforts to maintain peace in the Pacific, stating, “To safeguard the Pacific as the ‘Ocean of peace’…let us strengthen the bonds among all those gathered in this hall, and together build a region that is autonomous, resilient, and enduring.” The Defence Minister identified three key threats facing the region: climate change, threats to maritime order, and the “weaponisation of everything.”
Koizumi pointed out that climate-induced phenomena like rising sea levels, cyclones, and droughts constitute not just environmental issues but are also the greatest security threat. He addressed maritime security concerns, stating that illegal fishing, smuggling, and transnational crime are undermining sovereignty and the rule of law. “Without the rule of law at sea, there can be neither peace nor prosperity,” he remarked.
He raised alarms over modern threats such as cyber attacks, disinformation, and economic coercion, stating that the line between military and non-military scenarios has blurred significantly. Koizumi stressed the interconnected nature of these challenges and advocated for a cooperative response among nations, calling for an “interconnected” strategy.
A vision for a “multilayered network of interconnectivity” was proposed, aimed at fortifying a free and open maritime environment grounded in legal frameworks. Koizumi emphasized the importance of regional agency, encouraging nations to shape their own futures collaboratively.
He cited successful regional collaborations, including Operation Christmas Drop and coordinated disaster responses, as exemplars of how shared values can lead to united strengths. Japan’s strategic approach is closely aligned with the Pacific-led 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, which encourages coordinated regional responses to common challenges.
Koizumi outlined three action pillars: enhancing connections among people, fortifying crisis response, and strengthening resilience. He highlighted initiatives like the “Next-Generation Leadership Security Programme,” designed to cultivate trust through interpersonal relationships among Pacific nations.
Regarding crisis response, he mentioned Japan’s commitment to supporting maritime awareness and law enforcement, illustrating this with the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force’s recent collaborative training with twelve Pacific nations.
Koizumi also expressed concerns about cybersecurity, the misuse of AI, and misinformation. He vowed to collaborate with partners to tackle these pressing issues. Shifting his strategic perspective, he connected the Pacific to the Indian and Atlantic oceans, positioning the Pacific at the center of a broader maritime framework.
Reiterating Japan’s commitment to uphold international law, he expressed hope that the JPIDD would facilitate unified dedication to peace and a collective stand against attempts to alter the status quo through force. His closing remarks called for candid discussions and unified actions among participants, reinforcing Japan’s vision for a peaceful, resilient Pacific region.
Leave a comment