The G-7 Hiroshima Summit, hosted by Japan, is a notable event because it is Japan’s first summit since 2008. The goal for Japan was to navigate the Indo-Pacific’s complex geopolitical terrain, strengthen ties, and manage security risks in a region critical to global fortunes.
Hiroshima hosts the G7 Summit
- Hiroshima hosted the 49th annual G7 Summit. In its capacity as G7 President, Japan hosted the summit.
- The Japanese Prime Minister invited Prime Minister Modi to join the conference.
- On the second day of the summit, the attending leaders released a leaders’ communiqué. The communiqué will be officially adopted at the end of the summit on the 21st.
- Current members include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Japan’s Difficulties
- Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: Japan is profoundly concerned about Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine, which endangers regional stability. The dispute, which has been ongoing for more than a year, shows no signs of abating, and Japan is closely monitoring the situation due to the potential influence on its national security strategy.
- Japan is constantly monitoring China’s increasing assertiveness in the region, both militarily and geopolitically. China’s military modernization plans, territorial conflicts in the East and South China Seas, and expanding influence all pose serious threats to Japan’s security and regional stability.
- Military Pressures on Taiwan: Japan is concerned about China’s increasing military pressures on Taiwan, which has the potential to exacerbate tensions and spark a regional conflict. Given Japan’s physical proximity to the region, ensuring Taiwan’s peace and stability is critical for Japan’s national security interests.
- North Korea’s Nuclear Posturing: North Korea’s erratic nuclear posturing and nuclear weapons programme are huge security worries for Japan. North Korea’s missile launches and nuclear threats not only endanger Japan, but also contribute to regional instability.
- Economic and technological resilience: Japan faces difficulties in assuring economic security, particularly in light of global supply chain insecurity and the influence of sensitive technology. Reviving and strengthening its chip industry, as well as expanding scientific and technology collaborations, are critical for Japan’s economic and technological sustainability.
- Climate Change Impacts: As an island nation, it is especially exposed to the effects of climate change, including as coastline erosion, increasing flooding, and food security risks.
- Sensitive Technology Regulation: Japan faces the difficult task of regulating sensitive technology in order to protect national security without limiting innovation and economic growth. Striking a balance between encouraging technological innovation and protecting against potential hazards and misuse is a task that Japan must overcome.
Significance of the India-Tokyo Partnership
- Strategic Cooperation: The collaboration between New Delhi and Tokyo is crucial from a strategic standpoint. Their collaboration as two major democracies in the Indo-Pacific region aids in tackling shared challenges and advancing common interests.
- Bilateral Defence Ties: India and Japan’s defence cooperation has grown substantially in recent years. Regular cooperative military exercises, intelligence exchange, and defence technology collaboration all help to boost each country’s defence capabilities.
- Economic Cooperation: India and Japan have engaged in extensive economic cooperation. Their collaboration spans several industries, including infrastructure development, technology, trade, and investment. Joint Indo-Pacific projects enhance connectivity, economic growth, and long-term development.
- Regional Connectivity: India and Japan’s collaboration is critical to improving regional connectivity. Initiatives such as the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) and the Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor (IPEC) aim to connect infrastructure and boost regional trade and investment.
- Shared ideals and Interests: Democracy, the rule of law, and respect for international conventions are shared ideals between India and Japan. Their alliance is founded on common interests, including as a free and open Indo-Pacific, multilateralism, and a rules-based international order.
- Counterbalancing China’s Influence: The alliance between New Delhi and Tokyo serves as a counterbalance to China’s expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific. Both countries are concerned about China’s aggression and want to maintain a rules-based order while still promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.
- Middle Power Diplomacy: India and Japan’s relationship is an example of middle power diplomacy. By joining together, they can increase their respective influence and foster regional stability and collaboration. Their collaboration serves as a paradigm for other middle powers attempting to handle global issues collaboratively.
In the future: Shinzo Abe’s Legacy Advancement
- Strengthening Alliances and Partnerships: Like Shinzo Abe, current Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida can prioritise alliance and partnership strengthening. This involves strengthening connections with critical allies like the United States, Australia, and India, as well as extending collaboration in sectors like security, trade, and technology.
- Network Building and Diplomatic Partnerships: Prime Minister Kishida can follow in the footsteps of Shinzo Abe by actively participating in network building and cultivating diplomatic partnerships around the world. Reaching out to countries in the Indo-Pacific area and beyond to develop collaboration, improve understanding, and build a network of like-minded states is part of this.
- Regional Leadership in the Indo-Pacific: Japan plays a critical role in setting the Indo-Pacific region’s strategic outlines. Prime Minister Kishida may build on Shinzo Abe’s efforts to strengthen Japan’s leadership by actively participating in regional forums and initiatives including the Quad (Australia, India, Japan, and the United States), ASEAN, and the Indo-Pacific initiatives.
- Economic Engagement and Trade projects: Shinzo Abe has played an important role in extending Japan’s economic engagement with the rest of the world through projects such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Prime Minister Kishida can continue to promote free trade, pursue economic cooperation agreements, and support programmes that promote economic growth and creativity.
- Shinzo Abe was an active participant in global governance, lobbying for reform in international institutions and promoting Japan’s candidature for key positions. Prime Minister Kishida may carry on this tradition by actively participating in global forums, promoting international reforms, and contributing to the formation of global norms and regulations.
@the end
The G-7 Summit in Hiroshima provided a forum for Japan to solidify approaches to urgent global concerns. Furthermore, India and Japan’s growing relationship adds to middle-power diplomacy by supporting a rules-based system and fighting unilateral moves to alter regional dynamics. The summit reaffirmed Japan’s role as a critical security actor and its willingness to actively shape the global order.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/at-hiroshima-japans-moment-to-reinforce-partnerships/article66905043.ece