Japan-US-South Korea Cooperation: Confirm Reactivation of North Korea Nuclear Reactor

Japan, the United States and South Korea have increased efforts to take action over the situation on the Korean Peninsula. It is a change that should be welcomed with the reaffirmation of the close cooperation between Japan and the United States on security.

I would like to evaluate the fact that Japan, the United States and South Korea, at a trilateral director-level meeting on North Korea held in Washington, agreed on a plan to tighten sanctions that would “make North Korea pay the corresponding cost” should North Korea move ahead with nuclear testing.

The director-level meeting immediately put into practice a policy, confirmed at the trilateral summit in the Netherlands, to strengthen coordination between the three countries.

South Korea, which has refused summit meetings with Japan, has shifted its stance away from historical disputes and toward uniting and dealing with North Korea, which has not ceased nuclear and missile development. Dealing with a real threat as the highest priority stands to reason.

There was also a discussion between Japan and South Korea following the trilateral conference. Trilateral defense talks will also be held.

In the event North Korea resorts to violence, the U.S. military based in Japan and South Korea will respond on the front lines. Japan also needs to respond in coordination with the United States and South Korea. A conference exhibiting effective deterrence capability is essential.

Reacting to a U.N. Security Council statement condemning the North’s firing of medium-range “Rodong” ballistic missiles capable of reaching any part of Japan, North Korea suggested it might carry out a “new form” of nuclear test. In order to gather accurate information and prevent North Korea from carrying out such tests, cooperation is imperative.

In a meeting prior to the trilateral talks, U.S. Secretary of Defense Hagel, who had visited Japan, and [Japanese] Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera agreed on measures to strengthen its response to North Korea. The United States announced that it would deploy two additional Aegis destroyers equipped with SM3 missile interceptors to Japan by 2017.

Regarding the Abe administration’s approach toward the issue of Japan’s right to collective self-defense, Mr. Hagel stated that the United States welcomes, encourages, and supports that effort. Mr. Hagel expressed that “welcome” at the Security Consultative Committee meeting (2+2) with Japan’s foreign and defense ministers in October of last year.

The issue of Japan exercising its right to collective self-defense is closely related to the interception of missiles from North Korea. Mr. Hagel’s further comments were loaded with endorsement and expectations of Japan’s security policy.

In order to live up to those expectations, Japan is required to hasten the decision to reinterpret its constitution in order to exercise its right to collective self-defense, and to reflect the guidelines of the Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation that will be finalized by the end of the year.

I hope President Obama’s visit to Japan and South Korea this month will be an opportunity to strengthen Japan-U.S. ties and the trilateral cooperation.