THE JAPAN NEWS


 

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis is expected to confirm with Defense Minister Tomomi Inada the view that the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture are within the scope of Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, which obliges the United States to defend Japan, during Mattis’ first visit to Japan, according to sources.

Both governments are arranging for the confirmation to take place during the Japan-U.S. defense ministerial meeting scheduled for Feb. 4.

The new U.S. administration of President Donald Trump intends to show within and outside the United States its stance to commit to the defense of the Senkakus as China accelerates its government vessels’ activities in the waters around the Senkakus.

Mattis is expected to exchange opinions with Inada on the threat of China’s advances in the East and South China seas, as well as express his intention to maintain the position of the administration of former U.S. President Barack Obama regarding the Senkakus.

Mattis took office on Jan. 20. It is rare for a new U.S. defense secretary to visit Japan so soon after assuming their post. It appears that the new U.S. administration aims to stress its stance to take allies in Asia seriously and keep China in check.

Since the nationalization of the islands by the Japanese government in September 2012, Chinese government vessels have been stepping up their activities, including violating Japanese waters. When then President Obama visited Japan in April 2014, he clearly said the Senkakus fall within the scope of the Japan-U.S. security treaty. He was the first U.S. president to clearly say so.

During his presidential election campaign in March last year, however, Trump refused to give an answer and showed an ambiguous attitude when asked by U.S. media what he would do if China occupied the Senkakus. This caused apprehension on the Japanese side.

During the talks, in addition to the Senkakus issue, the defense chiefs are likely to agree to aim to realize the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecure, to the Henoko district of Nago in the same prefecture, which has been a pending issue.

They are also likely to confirm a plan that Japan and the United States will strengthen missile defense while North Korea advances its nuclear and missile development.

During his presidential campaign, Trump said U.S. allies Japan and South Korea did not make appropriate payments for defense, and urged them to shoulder more of the costs of stationing U.S. forces.

But Mattis is not expected to raise the issue of the costs for stationing U.S. forces during his trip, which includes South Korea, which he will visit before Japan. A U.S. Defense Department source explained that the trip is mainly aimed to strengthen the alliances and he does not intend to bring up the issue.

Mattis is scheduled to pay a courtesy call and hold talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday.