Former Prime MinisterShinzo Abe, who made Japan credible as a global peaceful nation.

By Ikuzo Kobayashi, President, Salaam Association

From the Summer Issue of the electronic “Salaam Quarterly Bulletin”, No.42, August 2022

I would like to offer my deepest condolences on the sudden death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The contributions to peace in Japan and the world made by former Prime Minister Abe have been enormous and have been admired by former heads of state and government in Japan and around the world. In this issue of Salaam Quarterly Bulletin, the author would like to mourn him by reflecting on “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Initiative” which he dvocated and the “Security Law” enacted during histenure as Prime Minister.

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Free and Open Indo-Pacific Initiative(FOIP)

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Initiative” was proposed at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) held in Kenya in August 2016. In his keynote address, then Prime Minister Abe said “It is the ‘Sea Route’ that connects Africa, Asia, and Japan. Africa, Asia, and Japan should take responsibility for the ‘free and open Indo-Pacific’ that provides stability and prosperity to the world as a place that values a market economy governed by rules.”
The concept of the “Sea Route” mentioned in this speech originated in 2007, during the first Abe Cabinet, when Prime Minister Abe delivered a speech to the Indian Parliament, titled “The Intersection of Two Seas,” written by Indian Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh, in which he stated that the Pacific and Indian Oceans should be the seas of freedom and prosperity, and India and Japan should fulfill their roles in preserving the safety of the sea lane particularly. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Prime Minister Abe’s speech to the Indian Parliament, “The Intersection of the Two Seas” (see mofa.go.jp))

Expanded global understanding and support for FOIP

With heightened concerns about China’s hegemonic expansion into the ocean, the global support for the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) is increasing. In April 2021, India participated for the first time in “La Perouse,” a joint exercise by the French Navy and Japan, the U.S., Australia, and India in the Bay of Bengal in eastern India. With Germany, “Japan-Germany 2 plus 2” was held to commemorate the 160th anniversary of Japan-Germany relations.

In July 2021, a carrier strike force was dispatched, including Britain’s most advanced aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth.The Ministry of Defense announced that it conducted a joint anti-piracy training exercise with a British aircraft carrier strike group in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia on July 11-12. Participating from Japan were the escort vessel Setogiri and P-3C patrol aircraft, and from the Royal Navy were the aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth, a frigate, a supply ship, a U.S. Navy destroyer, and a Royal Netherlands Navy frigate.
The British carrier strike force conducted operations against Islamic extremists (Islamic State militants) as it transits through the Middle East. The strike force will call at Singapore after conducting training exercises with Indian troops. And after conducting a “freedom of navigation” exercise in the South China Sea, it had called at Yokosuka. British Defense Minister Wallace said his longterm vision for defense, security, and foreign policy is “to have a permanent presence in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Post-Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union – Japan’s Transformation

However, it took 20 years for the world to openly accept Japan’s peace initiative, which took the form of the “free and open Indo-Pacific.

1) “International Cooperation and Deployment of Self-Defense Forces” by Passage of PKO Cooperation Law
Although the end of the Cold War has removed the threat of a world war, the removal of the weight of the U.S. and Soviet powers has led to the emergence of regional hegemony and the rise of nationalism based on different religions and cultures, resulting in numerous conflicts. Conflicts in Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East can be cited as examples. East Asia, on the other hand, remained a potentially unstable region where the level of danger remained high.
In addition, during the Gulf Crisis and the Gulf War of 1990-91, Japan was unable to contribute human resources, even though it was the second largest economic power in the world due to the economic development propelled by the crude oil import from the Gulf countries since 1960. The United States and the rest of the world were not satisfied with Japan’s response. Japan’s prestige was severely damaged.
The late Kaoru Yosano, a member of the Diet, testified that he had thoroughly studied UN peacekeeping operations (PKO) in order to promote human contributions. Then, in June 1992, the UN Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) Cooperation Law was enacted. Since then, PKO activities in which the Self-Defense Forces participated have intensified in Cambodia, Mozambique, the Golan Heights, and East Timor.
After the end of the Cold War, Japan was able to pave the way for “international cooperation and deployment of the Self Defense Forces. This was a historic shift in the nature of Japan’s defense from “one-nation pacifism with an emphasis on economic development with light armament to international cooperation.”
2)Emergency-at-Periphery Law
The end of the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 removed the threat of a world war between the East and the West. However, in 1993, North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and declared its intention to possess nuclear weapons, and in 1994, then Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui expressed his desire for independence. In response to this, China conducted a large-scale missile exercise and threatened Taiwan militarily. These events reminded Japan and the U.S. of the instability of the East Asia region.
In April 1996, the Japan-U.S. Joint Declaration between Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and U.S. President Bill Clinton announced expanded Japan-U.S. cooperation in critical situations in “areas surrounding Japan.” In 1998, the Cabinet approved the Law Concerning the Peripheral Situation in Japan, which was enacted by the Diet in 1999.

The turbulent situation in the Middle East before FOIP gained global support

1)On September 11, 2001, the United States was hit by unprecedented terrorist attacks by the radical Islamic terrorist organization al-Qaeda; on September 12, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted UNSC Resolution 1368.UN Security Council Resolution 1368 stipulates in the preamble that the individual rights of individual or collective self-defense of the United States victimized by the terrorist incident and its allies are recognized in response to the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.

US President W. Bush declared a “war on terrorism” and launched an attack on Afghanistan ruled by the Taliban regime that conceals Bin Laden based on a resolution of the SecurityCouncil.
At the request of the United States, Prime Minister Koizumi immediately enacted the “Special Measures Against Terrorism Law.” In October, relief supplies for Afghan refugees were delivered to Pakistan by Air Self-Defense Force transport aircraft.
This special measures law was a legislation valid only for two years, but it made it possible to dispatch the Self-Defense Forces in “wartime”, dispatch to remote countries, and “dispatch for guard activities” in anticipation of terrorism at US military bases in Japan. . Although a dispatched unit does not participate in combat, it made possible for the unit to undertake actions naturally expected as a US ally based on a Security Council resolution.
Specifically, the Maritime Self-Defense Force was engaged in refueling operations in the Indian Ocean based on the establishment of the Terrorism Special Measures Law. This operation, in which refueling activities are carried out while sailing, required advanced technology, and although it was a logistical support activity, it enhanced Japan’s presence in the region.
Ships were inspected to interdict maritime movement of terrorists by 6 countries — the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Pakistan, and NZ. Japan decided to not participate in the main maritime interdiction activities, and instead to carry out supply support activities for ships of various foreign countries engaged in antiterrorism maritime interdiction activities based on the Special Measures Law for Supply Assistance.
Maritime refueling must be carried out stably over a long period of time while a Japanese supply ship accompanies a foreign vessel engaged in marine interdiction activities. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force with equipment, high technology and ability is the most suitable, and its activities were able to receive high evaluation and appreciation from each country.
2)After the Iraq War that began in 2003, the dispatch of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) facility units for reconstruction of Iraq was also appreciated and well received by the Iraqi people. Such post-conflict reconstruction assistance in various parts of the world was highly appreciated and requested by many countries.
However, in response to Japan’s deployment of the Self-Defense Forces in Iraq, there was a general perception that “Japan is bowing to the pressure out of fear of the United States. In the midst of such Iraqi sentiment, even though it was in a noncombat zone in southern Iraq, the confidence that the Self-Defense Force won from the locals was surprisingly passionate.

Prime Minister Abe’s Visit to the Middle East = Proactive Peace Diplomacy

When the second Abe Cabinet took office at the end of 2012, a year and a half after the Great East Japan Earthquake, there were still many issues to be resolved in the reconstruction process. Despite this, Prime Minister Abe began his proactive peace diplomacy with a visit to the Middle East.

In 2013 Prime Minister Abe visited the Middle East twice. He visited Saudi Arabia, on April 30-May 1, United Arab Emirates on May 1-2, Turkey on May 2-3, Bahrain on August 24-25, Kuwait on August 26, Djibouti on August 27, and Qatar on August 28.
The Arab Spring has spread to the Gulf countries. If it is perceived that Japan has come to seek only economic national interests, anti-Japanese sentiment by Islamic extremists may be channeled into anti-government movement in those countries to a different degree in each country.
It must not have been easy for him to visit Arab countries, where Japan was criticized for “Japan’s oil-begging diplomacy” in 1990s.
Prime Minister Abe has vowed to strengthen relations between Japan and the Gulf countries toward a “comprehensive partnership for stability and prosperity” under the banner of proactive peace diplomacy” during his visit to the Gulf countries. He declared that Japan would be a comprehensive partner that includes not only economic (oil) but also peace and stability in the region. Japan set forth her vision of becoming friends with the Arab countries.

Prime Minister Abe’s Proactive Engagement for Peace

1)Proactive peace diplomacy to erase the stigma during the Gulf War When the Gulf crisis occurred, the East-West Cold War had already come to an end. Despite the post-Cold War turmoil, the UN Security Council almost unanimously adopted a resolution that Iraqi forces should withdraw from the region. What should Japan have said or done for Kuwait in response to Iraq’s refusal to withdraw? Japan owed voluntary crude oil development to Kuwait, but Kuwait faced an imminent destruction. On August 10, 1990, an emergency Arab summit meeting was held in Cairo, where a resolution including seven items was adopted, including the dispatch of a joint Arab force to deal with Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. However, no progress was made, and the UN Security Council finally adopted a resolution at the end of November that effectively authorized the use of force.

The Gulf Crisis was clearly a critical life-and-death situation for Japan too. Japan should have expressed its clear stance on the Gulf crisis in an “aggressive” manner, both in terms of its respect for the UN and its role in the Japan-U.S. alliance. Japan should have also proposed a specific role for Japan in the Gulf crisis.
However, Japan failed to send a clear signal. The world perceived Japan’s ambiguous attitude, its lack of human contribution, and its lack of “proactivity” toward peace as a result. The prestige of Japan as an economic superpower was damaged. In the U.S. Congress, the “Japan’s free ride on the security of the United States” theory erupted, and the question was raised, “Did even one member of the Japanese Diet say he would help the United States if it were attacked?” We cannot forget the criticism that was leveled at Japan in the U.S. Congress.
2) From the Emergency-at-Periphery Act to the Critical Impact Situations Act Article 98 of the Constitution states, “It is necessary that treaties concluded by the Nation of Japan and established international laws and regulations shall be faithfully observed.” Based on the UN Charter, which recognizes the right of collective self-defense, it can be said that Japan can exercise the right of collective self-defense. In particular, in this era of the war on terror, Japan faces a situation in which it cannot protect itself against crises based solely on the geographical concept of conventional geographical peripheries. It is imperative to deepen the concept of defense that is not bound by geographical scope, including peripheral situations, namely, the concept of critical impact situations.
3) On September 19, 2015, a security-related bill (security legislation) was passed. The enactment of this security legislation represented a comprehensive package to address security challenges in Japan’s own defense since the Abe Cabinet and administration were launched in December 2012. Those challenges include collective self-defense rights that match the international situation, Japan’s defense plan, review of the three principles of weapons export, etc., as well as dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces for “escort duty”, “joint defense of camps”, and preparations (information collection, education and training) enabling those activities in international peace operations.
International peace cooperation activities by the Self-Defense Forces have been carried out all over the world including neighboring Asian countries, Middle East countries, and Africa. The security legislation entered into force on March 29, 2016 as a legal system that facilitates international peace cooperation by the Self-Defense Forces, including not only participation in the United Nations peacekeeping operations but also support for other countries’ armed forces working for the peace of the international community.
4) ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific Security’ with Sea Lane Defense at its Core The sea lane that connects East Africa – Arabian Sea – Indian Ocean – Malacca Strait- South China Sea – Japan is a global maritime shipping route that mainly includes the navigation of crude oil tankers. It is a world maritime transportation route mainly for oil tanker traffic. If there is a conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, crude oil tankers from the Gulf nations will not be able to pass through. If a war breaks out in the South China Sea, maritime vessels will be forced to make major detours.
Since the second Abe administration came to power, Prime Minister Abe has pursued a proactive peace diplomacy. He first visited Middle Eastern countries to strengthen relations with them under the slogan of “Comprehensive Partnership for Stability and Prosperity.” He also proposed the concept of “free and open Indo-Pacific security,” and succeeded in adding Australia and India to the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty as a quasi-Japan security arrangement. This proposal was accepted by the U.S., and to this day, the U.K. and France, wary of China’s advances in the East and South China Seas, have also announced their participation. The initiative is now being expanded to include the security of the Western Pacific.

Thank you, late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe!
Japan’ s defense system and international defense cooperation
system are in place thanks to you.
All that remains is to revise the Constitution.
The people of Japan will inherit and fulfill your legacy.

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