Quad Summit: Let’s Increase Cooperation among Democracies

There is great significance in the fact that democratic countries who share common values have affirmed their intent to increase cooperation in a wide range of areas to tackle the challenges facing the international community.

A summit of the leaders of Japan, America, Australia and India, known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, was held in Washington, D.C. This was the first face-to-face meeting of the group, following an online conference held in March. It is planned that these meetings will be held on a regular basis from now on.

At the start of the summit, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said that the in-person meeting “demonstrated the four countries’ strong solidarity and unshakeable commitment to their common vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The joint statement issued at the summit emphasized the importance of supporting developing countries to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and develop their infrastructure. It also specified that the Quad would expand cooperation in development of 5G networks, utilization of space and cyberdefense.

China is increasing its economic and technological influence and has continued to take hegemonic actions. To maintain the rules-based liberal world order, the cooperation of the four countries of the Quad is essential. Concrete action must be taken to implement the points agreed to by the leaders of the Quad.

The continued leak of advanced technology, like semiconductors, and the increasing reliance on China for critical materials presents a great security risk. It is praiseworthy that the four leaders agreed to concentrate on the establishment of a secure supply chain.

In the joint statement, the four countries expressed their concern over “challenges to the rules-based maritime order in the East and South China Seas.” It is necessary to once again convey to China that unilateral attempts to change the status quo will not be accepted.

In the run-up to the summit, U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration established a new security cooperation framework between America, Australia and Britain, known as AUKUS. It is necessary for Japan to also think about ways to increase cooperation in such areas as intelligence.

Biden is considering holding his first face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during next month’s Group of 20 summit. Dealing with China after consulting with America’s allies and other friendly countries is an appropriate course of action.

North Korea, China and Russia have increased military provocations of Japan following Suga’s announcement that he intends to step down. Suga should work to ensure a seamless transition of power, so as to avoid giving the false impression that Japan has become inward-looking.