On Friday, September 27, former Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba was elected as the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, positioning him to become Japan’s new Prime Minister. With Ishiba set to take office, his policy proposals have reignited attention, particularly his advocacy for the establishment of an “Asian version of NATO,” a concept long opposed by the Chinese Communist Party.
Ishiba emphasized the need for Japan to pursue a more pragmatic foreign policy. In a document submitted to the Hudson Institute think tank last week, he outlined the plan for an “Asian version of NATO,” believing it would act as a deterrent against Chinese military activities in Asia.
According to Ishiba, the lack of a collective self-defense system in Asia, akin to NATO, increases the likelihood of war as there is no mutual defense obligation among allies. Like many of his counterparts in Japanese politics, Ishiba expressed concerns over China’s escalating military activities around Japan’s islands.
He also suggested that Japan’s military alliance with the United States may need to be revised to allow for the first time since 1944 the stationing of troops on US territory, specifically Guam.
Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, NATO’s Article 5 has garnered significant attention. Article 5 stipulates that an attack on any member state is considered an attack on all member states.
China has consistently opposed the establishment of an “Asian version of NATO.” In a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June 2023, then Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu criticized the US for pushing for “NATO-ization in the Asia-Pacific,” accusing it of hijacking regional countries and stoking “conflict and confrontation.” Former Chinese Ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, also stated, “We do not need an Asian version of NATO, and we do not wish to see NATO’s role expand in our region.”
The United States currently does not support the idea of establishing an “Asian version of NATO.” Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Kritenbrink, has deemed the proposal premature.
Nevertheless, Ishiba reiterated the necessity of forming an Asian treaty organization during a press conference on Friday.
Currently, the US is urging Japan to deepen its relationships, and Japan is seeking defense cooperation with South Korea and Australia, while also establishing security ties with European countries like the UK and France to counter China’s growing influence.
Ishiba proposed the establishment of a NATO-like collective security mechanism in Asia, suggesting the integration of existing diplomatic and security frameworks, such as the “Quad” dialogue among Japan, the US, Australia, and India; the AUKUS agreement between Australia, the US, and the UK, as well as the deepening security cooperation between Japan and South Korea.
Ishiba mentioned that the new security alliance could even involve sharing control over American nuclear weapons as a deterrent against neighboring countries with nuclear capabilities.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed dissatisfaction at Ishiba’s proposal for the “Asian version of NATO” during a press conference on Friday. Lin stated that he hoped Japan would learn from history, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and pursue a positive and rational policy towards China.
Regarding Ishiba’s visit to Taiwan in August and his meeting with Taiwanese leaders, Lin reiterated China’s strong opposition to Japanese political figures visiting Taiwan.
Aged 67, Ishiba, a former banker, ran for the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election for the fifth time, stating that this would be his “final battle.” Throughout his 38-year political career, he has been particularly focused on security issues and the revival of Japan’s rural communities.
In terms of China policy, Ishiba has called for deeper engagement and more diplomacy with China. However, he strongly supports democracy in Taiwan.
Ishiba was first elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1986. Prior to that, he worked at Mitsui Bank (now Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation) for approximately four years. His father, Jiro Ishiba, was also a politician who served as Minister of Internal Affairs and Governor of Tottori Prefecture.
Ishiba has held various roles, including Director-General of the Defense Agency, Defense Minister, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party. His resume and frequent visits to Japan’s rural areas have boosted his recognition and voter support. According to a survey conducted by Nikkei News from September 13 to 15, 26% of respondents indicated that Ishiba was the most suitable candidate to lead the Liberal Democratic Party, surpassing eight other competitors.
Nikkei News reported that one of the key focuses of Ishiba’s economic policies would be revitalizing small cities with declining populations, such as his hometown in Tottori Prefecture.
In a recent media interview, Ishiba stated, “Preventing the decline of rural areas is a pressing issue the new government must address further.”
On energy policy, Ishiba expressed intentions to fully tap into the potential of renewable energy. While not against nuclear power, he seeks to reduce the proportion of nuclear power in Japan’s energy mix.
(This article incorporates reporting from Reuters.)