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Japan
This Week in AsiaPolitics

As China’s Pacific influence grows, Japan eyes deeper ties with island nations amid their domestic woes

  • Japan has supported the region by setting up hospitals, building roads and bridges, and assisting in climate change mitigation and disaster relief
  • Tokyo’s renewed focus on Pacific nations comes amid regional concern over Fukushima waste water discharge and as Chinese influence grows

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Protesters on the streets of Fiji’s capital city Suva rally against Japan’s release of wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean in August last year. Photo: AFP
Maria Siow
As Japan and Pacific island nations look to cooperate on a wide range of issues and close ranks against growing Chinese influence in the region, analysts say Tokyo also has to tackle the region’s concerns.
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These include climate change, disaster relief, and the discharge of waste water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant – an issue where greater “trust” and communication will be needed – while maritime and security ties with the region also need strengthening.
At a meeting in the Fijian capital Suva last Monday, Japan and Pacific countries agreed to oppose “any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion”, widely seen as a veiled reference to China’s growing influence in the region.
A ministerial meeting among Japan and Pacific nations is held in the Fijian capital Suva on February 12. Photo: Kyodo
A ministerial meeting among Japan and Pacific nations is held in the Fijian capital Suva on February 12. Photo: Kyodo

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told reporters she agreed with the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) on the importance of the “international rules-based order”.

She added that Japan would continue to provide explanations based on “scientific evidence” about the release of treated waste water from Fukushima.

The gathering aimed to lay the groundwork for the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting – held once every three years since 1997 – set to convene in Tokyo this July.

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Given Japan’s attempts to understand local needs, economic development and climate change mitigation, including disaster relief, “would remain a priority”, said Kei Koga, an associate professor in the public policy and global affairs programme at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University.

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