By Sun Wenzhu

The strategic partnership agreement (SPA) between Japan and the EU took effect on January 1 this year. The agreement stipulates that the two sides, as "like-minded global partners," will jointly maintain regional peace and security.

With the tacit approval and encouragement of the US, Japan has been intensifying military security cooperation with major European countries. This includes fostering bilateral and multilateral institutional exchanges with many European countries, establishing "2+2" dialogue mechanisms with the UK, France, Germany, and other nations to regularly exchange views on defense and regional security issues, and issuing a new four-year plan for security cooperation with NATO and setting up a confidential intelligence-sharing channel to further institutionalize their security cooperation.

In addition, the scale of joint exercises and training between the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and the armed forces of major European countries has been steadily expanding, with the scope of training activities continuously broadening. In July 2024, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) conducted joint exercises with the air forces of France, Germany, Spain and other countries. In August, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) deployed the helicopter carrier Izumo and new submarines to participate in joint training with the navies of Italy, Germany, France and other countries. In September, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) held its first-ever joint exercise with French Army units on Japanese soil.

Amid profound changes in the international landscape, Japan's ongoing efforts to advance military security cooperation with European nations reflect its intent to expand its global influence and pursue a position as a prominent political and military power.

Firstly, Japan aims to align itself with major European powers in the field of military security, seeking to break through post-war constraints and create justifications and policy space for its military expansion. During the Fumio Kishida administration, Japan announced that it would reach the NATO benchmark and increase its defense budget to 2% of GDP within five years starting from 2023, with a focus on building counterattack capabilities centered on offensive weapons. After Shigeru Ishiba took office, Japan accelerated its collaboration with the UK and Italy on the joint development of next-generation fighter jets, while actively seeking to participate in Europe's next-generation unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) projects. It is foreseeable that under the framework of its new strategic and defense partnership, Japan will continue to strengthen military security cooperation with Europe, hoping to gradually gain international acceptance of its transition from a "peaceful nation" to a "war-capable nation," thereby paving the way for Japan to challenge the postwar international order.

Secondly, Japan aims to strengthen its network of alliances to counter the uncertainties brought about by US strategic adjustments. Japan and several European countries are allies of the US. They share concerns over the possibility of a return to isolationism under the Trump presidency. The Japanese believe that, amid US strategic adjustments, actively serving as a bridge for European engagement in the Asia-Pacific affairs, deepening multilateral security cooperation with European nations, and building a quasi-alliance framework help both mitigate the uncertainties arising from US strategic shifts and foster collective influence with Europe on shaping US strategic direction.

In recent years, some Japanese politicians have repeatedly hyped up the so-called "Chinese military threat," seeking to draw European powers into the Asia-Pacific on the basis of the US-Japan alliance, so as to enhance Japan's leverage in regional competition and secure greater benefits. After signing the Japan-EU Security and Defence Partnership, Iwaya Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, said that the security environment surrounding Japan is very severe and he hopes to enhance deterrence by building a cooperation network with "like-minded countries and allies."

Due to historical reasons, Japan's military security developments have always drawn the close attention of the international community and its Asian neighbors. Japan's ongoing efforts to pull in European military forces into the Asia-Pacific will undoubtedly disrupt the region's existing strategic balance and security stability, increase the risks of bloc confrontations, potentially trigger arms races, and exacerbate tensions, thereby posing negative impacts on regional security. Japan should learn from history, stay committed to the path of peaceful development, respect the security concerns of its neighbors, and act cautiously in the area of military security.

(The author is from China Institute of International Studies.)