Japan is experiencing the “most severe” security scenario that it confronted since the Second World War, said the former Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, to The Hindu. Responding to questions over email, Mr. Kishida described connectivity as the ‘key to prosperity’ in South Asia and highlighted his concept of ‘industrial value chain’ that aims to connect India’s northeastern States with the Bay of Bengal region. Mr. Kishida also said that China’s activities in the South China Sea “heighten regional tensions”.

“Japan is facing the most severe and complex security environment after WWII. In response, Japan is strengthening its defence capabilities while maintaining the U.S. alliance as its cornerstone and expanding cooperation with like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific including the continuation of Malabar exercises with India,” Mr. Kishida said. He added that Japan’s defence policy “aims to protect the lives and peaceful livelihoods of its people, in accordance with the Constitution and international law, while upholding Japan’s exclusively defence-oriented posture and its path as a peaceful nation.” The remarks from Mr. Kishida add to The Hindu’s earlier reports, that informed that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government is reviewing some of the policies on security, intelligence and defence that Japan has used for the past several decades.

Mr. Kishida, who, at present serves as the Chairman of Japan-India Association, described India as an “irreplaceable partner” of Japan and said Delhi-Tokyo cooperation is “indispensable” to achieve “FOIP (Free and Open Indo Pacific)”. Mr. Kishida referred to his visit to India as the Prime Minister of Japan in 2023 and highlighted the strides in bilateral relation that have been made since then. He highlighted Japan’s plans for enhancing connectivity across South and Southeast Asia especially between India’s northeastern States and the Bay of Bengal region.

“In the New Plan for FOIP in 2023, I identified the Industrial Value Chain Concept connecting the Bay of Bengal and Northeast India as one of the key initiatives,” Mr. Kishida said. He informed that Japan has provided development cooperation to northeastern India in areas like “road connectivity, forest and biodiversity conservation, water and sanitation, healthcare, and agriculture”.

Mr. Kishida emphasised that the Quad grouping, consisting of Australia, Japan, India and Australia, is not weakening and called out “large-scale land reclamation” and “militarisation in the disputed areas” in the South China Sea, saying China’s “actions” in the South China Sea “heighten regional tensions”. “The situation is a legitimate concern for the entire international community, as it directly affects regional peace and stability. Japan has consistently supported the rule of law at sea and has strongly opposed unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion,” Mr. Kishida said.

Addressing regional challenges in South Asia, Mr. Kishida called for restoration of democracy in Myanmar and said “safe, voluntary and dignified” return of the “displaced persons” is essential for solving the Rohingya refugee crisis. “Japan calls on Myanmar to immediately cease violence, release detainees, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and restore democracy. Japan also urges Myanmar to work towards a peaceful resolution through the prompt implementation of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus,” Mr. Kishida said.

(The Q&A was facilitated by the Foreign Press Center Japan that had hosted the correspondent earlier this month for a symposium in Tokyo)