By Zi Ge

Japanese media reported that Italian aircraft carrier formation Cavour had berthed at Japan's Port of Yokosuka on August 22 for the first time, and conducted joint training with JMSDF in the following days. In recent years, several NATO members have dispatched aircraft carriers and other vessels to enhance their presence in the Pacific.

It is reported that an Italian formation comprising aircraft carrier Cavour and the multipurpose FREMM frigate "Alpino" set sail in April from Italy's La Spezia Naval Base and headed for the Asia Pacific for a five-month-long military deployment, intending to visit 15 ports of 14 countries for military and diplomatic activities. After a visit to Guam and a bilateral military exercise with the US Navy, the carrier formation joined the US Navy's Independence-class littoral combat ships for a visit to countries such as Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia before arriving at Japan's Port of Yokosuka.

The Italian side made it clear that the visit was aimed to enhance its presence in the Indo-Pacific. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto visited Japan concurrently, and the two sides had discussions about a series of defense cooperation projects, including jointly developing the next-generation fighters with the UK. Previously the Italian government already started negotiations with Japan on the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) for the purpose of realizing mutual guarantee of combat supplies. They planned to complete the negotiations and sign the agreement in the spring of 2025.

In addition to Italy, several other NATO members and US allies have also dispatched or planned to dispatch aircraft carriers or naval vessels to the Asia Pacific. The UK's HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group(CSG) is expected to head for the Pacific in 2025; France plans to send the Charles de Gaulle CSG to the region too, and Norway has announced its decision to join the UK CSG's operations in the Asia Pacific – all including the plan to berth by Japanese coast and conduct joint training and exchange with JSDF. Before Italy, four US allies – Canada, New Zealand, Germany and Singapore – have already sent military vessels to Japan in August.

In the meantime, the JASDF has had intensive joint training with the air forces of France, Germany, Italy and Australia recently. Military forces from 14 countries have already had bilateral training or exercise with JMSDF and JASDF this year.

Analysts said among the countries that have recently dispatched or planned to dispatch military vessels to Japan are NATO members, such as Italy, Germany, France, Canada, and the UK, Five Eyes members like New Zealand, and those that completely rely on US' security protection such as Singapore. In US' eyes, the alliances and cooperation mechanisms, be it the Japan-US alliance, NATO or Five Eyes, are just strategic resources and tools at its service. How to wield them, where they can operate, and how to showcase their strengths are all up to the US.

Recent years have seen the US adjust its military deployment in the Asia Pacific by relying more on its allies, pushing NATO's military expansion to the region, and urging its allies to get involved in the major-country confrontation, in a bid to destroy regional security order. Multiple NATO members sending military vessels to the Asia Pacific – with great fanfare but on a limited scale – show their intention to apple-polish the US and enhance their presence in the region.

Under US' instigation, NATO has made it its strategic goal to heighten its influence in the Asia Pacific. In December 2020, it released a strategic initiative stressing the need to intensify security cooperation with partners in the region, which was re-emphasized in its new Strategic Concept issued in June 2022. Japan, which has been very active in introducing NATO's military strengths to the Asia Pacific, is now regarded by many members as a nice partner.

Bringing outside countries to the Asian Pacific region is Japan's key military and diplomatic strategy in recent years. With US' backing and acquiescence, Japan has kept selecting partners from US allies, and agitated them to meddle in regional security affairs by establishing regular consultation mechanisms with them, signing bilateral military agreements, and organizing multilateral exercises, all to serve its own strategic interests.

According to analysts, the frequent dispatch of military vessels and aircraft to the Asia Pacific by multiple countries under US and Japan's instigation will stir up conflict and confrontation, disrupt the current order and security situation, and threaten regional stability. Relevant moves and developments are worth close attention and high vigilance.