As Iran Heats Up, Japan Faces a National Crisis
It's hard to believe that four former defense ministers attended a meeting that ended up being such an abomination. I am talking about the June 13 meeting of Japan's National Security Council. Regarding Israel's attack on Iran nuclear facilities and other targets, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba instructed the relevant Cabinet ministers to (1) collect information, (2) take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in the region, and (3) cooperate with relevant countries to de-escalate the situation and resolve the Iran nuclear issue.
These instructions covered nothing more than what the relevant ministers should do as a matter of course, even without instruction from the Prime Minister who convened the meeting. They also lacked any message to the public.
Ishiba should have instructed the ministers to prepare measures in the event that Iran implements a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, he should have conveyed to the public the recognition that this situation would not be limited to affecting only the Middle East. Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya
Participants in the NSC meeting included Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani. The three joined Prime Minister Ishiba, who called the meeting.
All four have served as defense ministers in the past. Within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, they are also considered well-versed in national security issues. They should be well aware that the escalation of attacks between Israel and Iran could cause a chain of reactions. Those include not only the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz but also the United States' diversion of troops from the Asia Pacific to the Middle East. Chinese Navy aircraft carrier "Shandong" (Provided by the Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office)
Coincidentally, in early June, China's Navy conducted its first coordinated exercise in the western Pacific involving two aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong. During the exercise, a Chinese J-15 fighter jet tailed a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C patrol aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean for surveillance. The Chinese fighter made a dangerous flight approaching as close as 45 meters to the P-3C. Tensions are rising as Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi expressed grave concern. "Such an unusual approach by a Chinese military aircraft could cause an accidental collision," he cautioned.
Some Japanese government officials say the inauguration of the second Trump administration in the United States has created a power vacuum in the western Pacific. That, they say, has encouraged the Chinese military to fill the vacuum. At the NSC meeting, the Prime Minister should have instructed the Self-Defense Forces to increase their vigilance in order to prevent the Chinese military from taking further provocative actions.
Does he think it is okay to try to resolve matters with China always in a conciliatory manner?
After the NSC meeting, Ishiba said of the Israeli attack: "It is completely unacceptable that military means were used while diplomatic efforts for a peaceful solution were ongoing. I strongly condemn the extremely regrettable action." Israel, which has a strong determination to never allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons, may not want to be lectured by Japan, which failed to prevent North Korea from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (©Getty via Kyodo) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (©Reuters via Kyodo)
Ishiba has characterized the Trump administration's tariff policy as a national crisis. However, the real national crisis lies in China's military actions and the potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. 80% of Japan's crude oil imports pass through that narrow neck.
It is a mistake to see the impact of the Israeli attack as confined to the Middle East.
(A version of this article was first published by the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals . Find it in Speaking Out #1262 in Japanese on October 21 and in English on June 16, 2025)
Author: Takashi Arimoto
Takashi Arimoto is a Planning Committee member at the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals and a columnist at the Sankei Shimbun newspaper.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Canada Standard
2 hours ago
- Canada Standard
Canadian govt orders Chinese firm Hikvision to cease operations over national security concerns
Ottawa [Canada], June 28 (ANI): The Canadian government has ordered Chinese video surveillance equipment maker Hikvision to cease all operations in the country and close its Canadian business over national security concerns, Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Melanie Joly, announced on Friday (local time). Melanie Joly noted that the government has determined that Hikvision Canada Inc.'s continued operations in Canada would be detrimental to Canada's national security. In a statement, Joly stated, 'Following a National Security Review under the Investment Canada Act, the Government of Canada has ordered Hikvision Canada Inc. to cease all operations in Canada and close its Canadian business.' 'The government has determined that Hikvision Canada Inc.'s continued operations in Canada would be injurious to Canada's national security. This determination is the result of a multi-step review that assessed information and evidence provided by Canada's security and intelligence community,' she added. Joly stated, 'The scope of this National Security Review under the Investment Canada Act does not extend to Hikvision's affiliate operations outside of Canada.' Melanie Joly encouraged all Canadians to take note of this decision and make their own decisions accordingly. Furthermore, the Canadian government has banned the purchase or use of Hikvision products in government departments, agencies, and crown corporations. She stated, 'The Government of Canada is further conducting a review of existing properties to ensure that legacy Hikvision products are not used going forward. The Government of Canada welcomes foreign investment - but will never compromise on Canada's national security.' (ANI)
Winnipeg Free Press
5 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Fireworks will light up this Fourth of July. Next year could be different if tariff talks fizzle
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Like clockwork, Carla Johnson sends out letters every spring asking for donations to help pay for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show that draws tens of thousands of people to New Mexico's largest lake. And she has no reservations about doling out verbal reminders when she sees her patrons around town. There's too much at stake to be shy about fundraising when donations collected by Friends of Elephant Butte Lake State Park are what make the tradition possible. But even Johnson's ardent efforts as the group's fundraiser might not cut it next year if the U.S. and China remain locked in a trade war. With nearly all of the aerial shells, paper rockets and sparkly fountains that fuel America's Fourth of July celebrations being imported from China, volunteer groups like Johnson's and cities big and small have been closely watching the negotiations. A 90-day pause on what had been massive tariffs brought some temporary relief, but industry experts acknowledge that the tiff has lit a fuse of uncertainty as the price tag for future fireworks displays could skyrocket if an agreement isn't reached. Not the first time There were similar concerns in 2019 as trade talks between the U.S. and China dragged on. Industry groups had called on officials then to exempt fireworks from escalating tariffs. The American Pyrotechnics Association and the National Fireworks Association reignited the lobbying effort this spring, noting in letters to President Donald Trump that fireworks play a crucial role in American celebrations. The groups say the industry is made up mostly of family-owned companies that are often locked into long-term contracts that leave them unable to raise prices to offset cost surges brought on by higher tariffs. And there are few options for sourcing the more than 300 million pounds (136 million kilograms) of fireworks needed to feed demands. China produces 99% of consumer fireworks and 90% of professional display fireworks used in the U.S., according to the APA. 'I think overall it's the uncertainty,' said Julie Heckman, the APA's executive director. 'Yeah, we have a 90-day pause, but are the negotiations with China going to go well? Or is it going to go sky-high again? You know, triple digits. It's very hard for a small business to plan.' How it began Fireworks have their roots in China. To ward off evil spirits, people would throw bamboo stalks into a fire, causing them to pop as the air inside the hollow pockets heated up. These early firecrackers evolved into more sophisticated fireworks after the Chinese developed gunpowder in the 9th century. By the 15th century, Europe was using fireworks for religious festivals and entertainment. In 1777, they were used in Philadelphia and Boston for what were the first organized Independence Day celebrations. Now, fireworks are synonymous with the summer holiday and with ringing in the new year. Shows have become elaborately choreographed displays that are often synced to live music. In Nashville, the Music City's award-winning symphony orchestra puts its own spin on the festivities. In New York City, organizers of the Macy's show will fire off 80,000 shells, with some reaching heights of 1,000 feet (304 meters). The National Park Service promises a spectacular show on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. At Elephant Butte in southern New Mexico, they're going old school and will light the fireworks by hand. Charlie Warren, vice president of the Friends of Elephant Butte Lake State Park, said it's like spectators are getting two shows at once as the colors reflect on the water below and the loud booms reverberate off the lake. Johnson, who also serves as the group's treasurer, gets emotional describing the experience. 'Oh man, in my heart and sometimes out loud, I'm singing the Star-Spangled Banner. I'll sing it out loud to the top of my lungs when I watch that show,' she said. 'It makes you proud to be in this country, and we're celebrating our freedom, and I'm going to start crying now. Don't get me started.' Stocking up before the tariffs Organizers in Nashville ordered fireworks for that show over a year ago so they weren't affected by the tariffs. It was the same in one of New Mexico's largest cities, where Rio Rancho officials planned to spend a little more to go bigger and higher this year. In Oklahoma, Big Blast Fireworks supplies nonprofit groups so they can fundraise by setting up fireworks stands. The company received its first container from China in January before the tariffs hit. The second container arrived in February and was subject to a 10% tariff. The third container was put on hold to avoid the highest tariffs, meaning inventory could be tight later this year if nothing changes. 'As a small business, we are passionate about watching our price points and intentional about passing along as much savings on to customers as possible,' said Melissa Torkleson, a managing partner at Big Blast. With some orders on hold, industry experts say Chinese manufacturers throttled back production as warehouses filled up. The backup in the supply chain also has resulted in competition for shipping space aboard ocean vessels, and Heckman, the APA's director, said it will take much more than flipping a light switch to ease either situation. If the trade war drags on, she said, there are ways that show organizers can adjust and spectators might not notice. A minute or two could be shaved from a show or certain types of fireworks could be substituted with less expensive options. As for this year, Warren said the price tag for the Elephant Butte show was unchanged and he and Johnson can't wait to see spectators lining the shoreline, on the surrounding hillsides and on boats bobbing on the lake. The mission every year is to make sure 'that the T's are all crossed,' Warren said. 'Because this community would not be happy if this show didn't come off,' he said.
Canada News.Net
6 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
Canadian govt orders Chinese firm Hikvision to cease operations over national security concerns
Ottawa [Canada], June 28 (ANI): The Canadian government has ordered Chinese video surveillance equipment maker Hikvision to cease all operations in the country and close its Canadian business over national security concerns, Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Melanie Joly, announced on Friday (local time). Melanie Joly noted that the government has determined that Hikvision Canada Inc.'s continued operations in Canada would be detrimental to Canada's national security. In a statement, Joly stated, 'Following a National Security Review under the Investment Canada Act, the Government of Canada has ordered Hikvision Canada Inc. to cease all operations in Canada and close its Canadian business.' 'The government has determined that Hikvision Canada Inc.'s continued operations in Canada would be injurious to Canada's national security. This determination is the result of a multi-step review that assessed information and evidence provided by Canada's security and intelligence community,' she added. Joly stated, 'The scope of this National Security Review under the Investment Canada Act does not extend to Hikvision's affiliate operations outside of Canada.' Melanie Joly encouraged all Canadians to take note of this decision and make their own decisions accordingly. Furthermore, the Canadian government has banned the purchase or use of Hikvision products in government departments, agencies, and crown corporations.
