Speech by Minister of State for Defense SHIGERU ISHIBA

 

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to make a speech to all of you today following last year’s conference. I would like to thank Dr Chipman and others who have given me this opportunity.

 

Today, I would like to explain my recognition on the international security environment after the Cold War and its changes after the 9-11 attacks.

 

Then I would like to underline Japan’s future role in international arena, and ask for your understanding on Japan’s stance.

 

At the time of the fall of Berlin Wall and the disintegration of the Soviet Union with former Communist states, many people thought, "Now the Cold War will come to an end, the world will become peaceful, and we will be able to receive dividend of peace." We must note, however, that the end of the Cold War only brought stability in Europe, and it did not mean the arrival of peace in other areas.

 

The Cold War originated in confrontation of ideology, namely liberalism versus communism. The world was divided in two opposing regimes. Ironically, during the Cold War era outbreak of major war did not occur, because the military power including nuclear power between the two regimes were well balanced. It is my belief that communism contained some highly esteemed ideas and it was not entirely wrong. However, it was mistaken in its assessment of human nature, and ended up in authoritarianism, bureaucratism and inefficiency. The communist countries disappeared following the collapse of their economy. While a small number of countries still hold communist regimes for the sake of the control of their country, major confrontation between communist states and liberalist states disappeared from the world.

The conflict of ideologies also ended in Asia. However, potential causes of international conflict between countries have become more prominent, such as differences in religion, ethnicity, territory, political regimes, economic disparities, etc. The global spread of terrorist threat also prevails in our region.

 

The security environment in Asia has in such a way become more complex from that during the Cold War era.

 

When I give my thoughts to the nature of terrorism, I believe that it lies in the denial of freedom and democracy. Unlike some people argue, terrorism is not born from poverty.

Terrorists spread terror to destruct current regime and achieve their goals, because they cannot meet their needs through democratic means. This nature of terrorism remains unchanged from the past.

 

As you may know, Japan experienced the Aum Shinri-Kyo incident in 1995. The cult sprayed a deadly sarin gas in Tokyo subway to kill and poison many passengers. Several years before that, the cult formed a political party and in the national election many cult members stood as a candidate to express their views. All of them lost the election without getting any public support.

 

When they realized they could not achieve their goal in a democratic way, they decided to change Japan’s national regime by terrorist activities.

 

To protect freedom and democracy from such groups who deny them, dialogue with them makes no sense. The only way is to fight against them through every possible means including power. As you are all aware, to give way to terrorists can only give them advantage, and will not help to resolve the issue.

 

We should of course keep in mind that democracy is not necessarily the most ideal system. As history shows, there are shortcomings in democracy.

 

Nevertheless, if we can carefully cope with these shortcomings, democracy is a regime better off than any other regime which we can currently observe.

 

I believe that democracy is very important for achieving peace and stability in this region because both terrorism and conflict between sovereign nations can be prevented significantly if we can establish a solid democracy.

 

Of course, I respect the diversity of democracy suited to each part of the world. One of the important reasons why Japan supported Iraqi War and mobilized its Self-Defense Forces to support reconstruction is to establish democracy in Iraq. During the Iraqi war, many Ambassadors from former socialist countries visited me and made a very striking comment. They told me that they are ardent supporter to establish democracy in Iraq, because they were also victims of dictatorship for a long time.

 

Now, I would like to talk about Japan’s defense policy. During my tenure as Minister of State for Defense over one year and eight months, I have received many questions from foreign leaders as well as media if Japan’s defense policy has changed, and what Japan is intending to do in the future.

 

As you know, Japan places its emphasis on maintaining transparency and trust through information disclosure, and I am sure that many of you are informed of the size of Japan’s defense budget, its Self-Defense Forces equipments and its defense policy. Japan maintains its position that it cannot exercise the right of collective self-defense recognized by UN Charter article 51 as an inherent right of nations, because Japan views that the exercise of the right of collective self-defense exceeds the "minimum necessary level of self-defense."

 

Also, Japan has long adhered to three non-nuclear principles of not possessing, not producing and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons in Japan, as well as the principle of non-exportation of weapons.

 

The Japanese government does not intend to change these principles.

 

On the other hand, there are various views and arguments expressed among Diet members and the Japanese people, for example that the right of collective self-defense should be reviewed from the viewpoint of playing more active role for the peace and stability of the world including the Asia-Pacific.

 

I would like to clearly state that it is against the interest of Japan to acquire nuclear weapons. This is not only because Japan is a unique country which suffered twice an atrocious damage by atomic bombs but also because Japan regards current NPT regime as essential to prevent further proliferation of nuclear weapons, especially proliferation to terrorist states and terrorist groups.

 

Prime Minister Koizumi recently re-visited North Korea. Prime Minister Koizumi demanded abduction cases to be resolved, demanded a complete and verifiable dismantling of nuclear weapons, saying that nuclear development by DPRK can not be permitted, and demanded a reconfirmation of the missile test moratorium. I think it was significant that the two leaders made frank and meaningful exchange of views.

 

As I told you before, there will be many arguments to be made at the Japanese Diet and among the general public on the issue of collective self-defense and arms export. The Japanese government does not intend to change its policy. However, I do not agree to the idea that Japan cannot bear its responsibility in the international community because it cannot exercise the right of collective self-defense. In today’s world, where terrorist attacks and the act of war are more difficult to be distinguished, we should further contemplate on the possibility of utilizing military power for a policing purpose.

 

In my speech last year, I mentioned the importance of Ocean Peace Keeping. Maritime safety in Asia is a vital interest for both Japan and other countries in the region. The safety in this region has been at risk, as shown by the fact that 60% of the maritime piracy in the world occurred in Asia. It is important for navies and coast guards of the region to cooperate bilaterally and multilaterally to enhance surveillance efforts. Also, we should collaborate in the United Nations as well as amongst relevant states to formulate effective arrangements and resolutions.

 

Japan, to bear appropriate responsibility in the world as well as in this region, wishes to actively speak out and take action as mentioned above, without simply becoming a financial contributor. This leads to an example of the utilization of military capability for policing purposes for the peace and stability of the region.

 

Regarding Japan-U.S. security arrangement and Ballistic Missile Defense, I think that Japan-U.S. security regime should enhance its credibility and effectiveness as a public good in order to further stabilize this region. In this complex world of the post cold-war era with the emergence of new threats,

 

I think the importance of bilateral alliance will increase. Such alliance should be utilized not only in a bilateral context but also in a much wider context in the region as a public good.

In the current session of the Diet in Japan, the budget on the introduction of ballistic missile system was newly approved. Some countries expressed their concern that the BMD system might trigger an arms race. I do not agree to this. Ballistic missiles are extremely fast. Their targets are very small. And they can have a devastating effect if nuclear, biological or chemical warheads are mounted on them. To effectively respond to the threat of these missiles, there exists no better mechanism than BMD. In comparison with an idea of deterring war by "a balance of terror", a concept of acquiring deterrence by a purely defensive intercept system should be correctly evaluated as a more moral idea.

 

There were also criticisms in Japan that it is uncertain if ballistic missiles can really be intercepted, and that on the cost-effect basis the cost is enormous and impose a heavy burden on the Japanese taxpayers. However, recent progress in high-tech-guidance-system technology has made revolutionary changes in the warfare. I said in the Diet in response to the cost and effect argument as follows: "The cost can be calculated. But how can you calculate the effect?" Nobody could answer my question. Not only the deterrence effect but also the lives and property which can be saved by intercepting these missiles are, in my view, priceless.

 

In Japan, we are currently working towards the end of the year for a drafting on a new concept on defense. Japan has so far put its priority on its economic development, and held a policy that Japan should not become a military power which may pose a threat to other countries. Against this background, we have maintained the following idea; "There is no specific threat toward Japan. But we should hold a minimum basic defense capability so that Japan does not become a power vacuum and cause instability."

 

However, in the new security environment where Japan possesses over 10% of the world GDP and the concept of nuclear deterrence is evolving, there are arguments if such way of thinking is still appropriate in formulating a new defense capability. Furthermore, it is important to formulate a concept which can properly respond to the military technology which has experienced revolutionary progress in the last decade.

 

Japan regards it important to effectively respond to new types of threat such as terrorism and ballistic missiles as well as to various situations which affect peace and stability, and also to contribute actively for the peace and stability of international community. I hope that broad and profound discussions will take place in the Japanese government as well as in the Diet and in the general public regarding this new defense concept.

 

In the Japanese military before the World War II, its policy and budget were not under full enforcement of civilian control. Today, I would like to emphasize that the Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, as a property of its nationals, are under full control of democracy and its transparency over budget and activities are well maintained.

 

Now, I do not think that the world here is all Shangri-la or a paradise, and the stupidity of human nature cannot be overcome with ease.

 

Nevertheless, we also have wisdom to learn from history. History also tells that freedom, democracy and justice are not effective in the form of simple spoken words, and that excessive optimism often resulted in a disaster. Justice is not equivalent to power as such. However, justice not backed by power is ineffective. When "justice", selfishly advocated by some rulers, becomes a real resolve to express correct information with support by many people, it will no doubt mark a major turning point in history.

 

After the Cold War, American Scholar Francis Fukuyama made an argument on "the end of history." Indeed, a period in history ended in the sense that a conflict between ideologies came to an end. However, "the end of history" means a beginning of a new history. The question is: what kind of history should we create?

We should not make this 21st century an era of "clash of civilizations" or "clash of religions." While understanding differences with each other, we must endeavor to find not "what is different between us", but "what we have in common." Maximum efforts must be made to remove suspicion and distrust, and most careful consideration must be made in recovering the damage caused by conflicts inevitably produced.

 

In concluding my speech, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that more than 130 years have passed since Japan opened its ports to the outside world in 1868. In this short period, Japan experienced many wars, and achieved today’s prosperity after the defeat of the World War II.

 

In East Timor, Japan recently completed its PKO activities in the UNMISET, and the contributions by the Self Defense Force Engineering Group were highly appreciated by East Timorese. As for the fight against terrorism, Maritime Self Defense Force’s refueling activities in the Indian Ocean for the coalition countries’ vessels engaged in interdiction have been continuing for over two years. In Iraqi town of Samawah, almost 600 Ground Self-Defense Force personnel are carrying out humanitarian and reconstruction activities.

"We desire to occupy an honored place in an international society which is striving for the preservation of peace, and for the banishment of tyranny and slavery, oppression and intolerance for all time from the earth."

 

This is the spirit clearly stipulated in the preamble of the Japanese Constitution, and achieving this spirit is a solid objective of the Koizumi Cabinet. In cooperation with all of you present here, we would like to bear our responsibility to achieve peace and stability of the region and the world, in order to bring happiness to every one of us.

 

Thank you for your attention.