#26 UN’s consensus to Japan’s anti-nuke resolution, Japan-China relations, North Korean missile, new Economic security minister, GPS satellite, CEATEC.
Here is a brief on the biweekly( 15th Oct. - 31st Oct.).
The United Nations panel adopted the Japan-sponsored anti-nuke resolution
17th Annual Beijing-Tokyo Forum was held in Bejing
A Japanese GPS satellite was launched from Tanegashima Space Center
Russian and Chinese warships sail through Japan Strait
Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies, a tech expo, was held online
Foreign Affairs.
Japan’s Anti-nuke resolution: The United Nations panel adopted the Japan-sponsored anti-nuke resolution. However, the resolution received divided responses amongst the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. While China and Russia opposed the resolution, Britain, France and the US supported the resolution. The resolution will come into force in December at the UN General Assembly.
Japan-China relations: As the diplomatic ties between Japan-China reach the 50th anniversary next year, the 17th Annual Beijing-Tokyo Forum was held online in Bejing. The key topic addressed by China at the forum was its expectation of cooperation with Japan on supply chain stability and carbon emissions. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also elaborated on five points that could guide bilateral relations. The bilateral ties have seen rough ends mainly because of territorial claims over islands in the East China Sea and Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang issues. Wang said, “We must practise real multilateralism, oppose the ‘new cold war and ‘small circles’ while working together to tackle global challenges”.
Japan’s new economic security minister: Takayuki Kobayashi, became the new minister for economic security. The recently elected Prime Minister Fumio Kishida created the new post. In his policy speech, Kishida pledged to build a “resilient supply chain and draw up legislative bills that promote Japan's economic security”. With Japan-China bilateral relations souring over the Taiwan issue, the appointment of a minister for Japan’s new economic security role has intrigued the Chinese side. On the one hand, diplomatic sources say if Kobayashi tries to get close to Taiwan than China to promote Japan’s economic interest, China will respond promptly, disturbing the regional stability. But on the other hand, experts predict that Japan will play a balanced approach, keeping in mind the invaluable economic benefits from China.
Japan-France bilateral relations: Japan and France plan to hold 2+2 security talks involving foreign and defence ministers. The talks are likely to be held during late November and early December. In May, vessels from France had participated in the joint exercises held by the Japanese Self-Defence Forces. The joint exercises also involved participation from the US and Australian sides.
Defence.
Chinese-Russian warships near Japanese waters: According to the Russian defence ministry, a joint patrol was held between Russia and China in the Western Pacific Ocean. As a part of the patrol, ten vessels from China and Russia had sailed through Tsugaru Strait, a strait that separates Japan’s main island and its northern island of Hokkaido. The ministry said, “the tasks of the patrols were the demonstration of the Russian and Chinese state flags, maintaining of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and guardianship of the subjects of maritime economic activities of the two countries”. While the Chinese defence ministry said the joint exercise was to, “further develop the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era, enhance the joint action capabilities of both parties and jointly maintain international and regional strategic stability”.
Watch Russian and Chinese warships holding joint patrol in the Pacific.
The observation from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force was that five Russian navy ships sailed around Japan and later entered the Sea of Japan. Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi expressed concerns about joint exercises of Russian and Chinese vessels to U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in a meeting. While Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki said the government is observing the developments with “high interest”. He said, “We will continue to conduct surveillance activities thoroughly in the waters and airspace surrounding Japan”.
North Korea’s missile: North Korea’s state-run Central News agency reported that the Academy of Defense Science successfully test-fired submarine-launched ballistic missiles with “advanced control guidance technologies including flank mobility and gliding skip mobility”. According to the Japanese government, North Korea had launched two ballistic missiles. The analysis on the Japanese side also revealed that the rocket had fallen in Japan’s exclusive economic zone, which extends 200 nautical miles from a country’s coastline. At the same time, the South Korean side had observed only one short-range ballistic missile launched from Sinpo in North Korea.
Technology.
Japan successfully launched and replaced ageing GPS satellite: Japan successfully launched a GPS satellite, replacing its ageing first-ever quasi-zenith satellite, Michibiki No. 1. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd has manufactured the new satellite. An H-2A rocket carried the satellite and launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan. The Japanese government plans to increase the launch of such satellites to seven by fiscal 2023, forecasting to improve the precision of “Japanese GPS”.
Watch the GPS satellite launched from Tanegashima Space Center
Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies: CEATEC is Japan’s annual tech expo show held online under the theme “Toward Society 5.0 with the New Normal”. “The concept of Society 5.0 to incorporate innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and robots into society has been promoted by Japanese industries and the government”. Some 300 companies participated and presented their tech solutions focusing on decarbonisation plans and green initiatives focusing on carbon neutrality. Japan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
With the UN climate change conference, COP26 around the corner, CEATEC represents how the Japanese companies take global warming seriously. Toshiba Corp. attracted many visitors for its exhibit on film-like, light and flexible solar batteries set up on curved surfaces and windows. While Kyocera Corp. displayed a buoy that can collect data on the marine environment to help researchers understand and address global warming. Takenaka Corp., Toshiba and Sharp were some of the other major brands that participated in the expo.