Japan, Pacific islands strongly oppose change of status quo by force

Japan, Pacific islands strongly oppose change of status quo by force

What a bold, daring paradigm changing declaration. Let's status quo!

I wonder what percentage of their population believe the status quo is wonderful and not just a system to enshrine the advantages of a privileged class.

Ridiculous comments, especially given the history of the Pacific Islands during WW2.

The History of Japan Podcast (Isaac Meyer) did a 4 part series called Southward Ho! in 2023 on the history of Japan and Micronesia. They are highly recommended to history buffs.

During the meeting in the Fijian capital Suva, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told reporters she agreed with her counterparts from the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum on the importance of the "international rules-based order," while pledging continued support to the strategically important region.

She's doing a terrific job stating the bleeding obvious. Such value for my tax money

Strongly opposing force requires force. Like it or not, that means U.S.

or you could try your luck with China…

Sadly, money talks in these tiny Pacific islands, many of whom are banana republics. While Japan should not get into any bidding war with China, perhaps they can donate old Navy vessels as patrol boats, for example? Infrastructure projects - building schools, hospitals etc. may be beneficial.

Simply throwing hard cash at the leaders of these islands (the China strategy) is a recipe fraught with danger and will not achieve anything other than to enrich the leaders and fund their families education and housing in Australia and NZ.

Japanese news reported that only 1/3 of the those islands invited showed up. China's post-war presence in the area is way ahead of Japan. Before and during WWII Japan was dominant in the region but lost interest after all the islands were lost in the war. Not so China.

Stop projecting forward. China has threatened none of the Pacific Island states and has natural relationships with the Chinese diaspora spread across the islands.

stop living in the past

deanzaZZRToday 07:07 am JST

Ridiculous comments, especially given the history of the Pacific Islands during WW2.

The war ended nearly 80 years ago, and all the people who made the decisions are dead. The Pacific leaders, like almost everyone else, rightly want to move forward and work together rather than live in the past.

Unfortunately, there are a small number of nations like China that do want to live in the past, purely so that they can use the war, the "century of humiliation" etc. to push an aggressive, oppressive political agenda.

It's not the actions of 80 years ago that are the problem here; it's the actions of now.

China wants to control the Pacific islands to control and restrict the area. The other countries want the islands to remain free so the oceans remain free for everyone.

Asia Pacific united with China will be more stronger..

without the dirty interventionism of western circUS..

Anyone who is in favor of self rule is against Putin's invasions of his neighbors, and Xi's threats against his neighbors.

But it was Japan that tried to change of status quo by force 80 years ago and Japan has not apologized for its crimes to those Pacific Island nations....

While Japan should not get into any bidding war with China, perhaps they can donate old Navy vessels as patrol boats, for example?

China give little away, it is normally loans with many strings attached. Bribery of individuals is what China goes in for. Japan and others give aid. As for patrol boats, they get brand new patrol boats from Australia and at end of life they are replaced with brand new boats. Their ability to maintain them is for the most part basic and servicing is generally done in Australia. The upkeep is a drain on resources for them all except perhaps Fiji. The last thing they need is old boats that cost more to maintain than new ones, and for which parts are next to impossible to obtain. The current system works well for all concerned.

As for patrol boats, they get brand new patrol boats from Australia and at end of life they are replaced with brand new boats.

I neglected to mention they are all gifted by Australia. Free of charge.

Samit BasuToday 10:33 am JST

Japan has not apologized

Japan has apologized to the region as a whole, and to individual countries, many times. These apologies appear to be sufficient for basically everyone apart from China and South Korea (with whom relations have greatly improved under Yoon).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_war_apology_statements_issued_by_Japan

Change the record, please.

How much money to buy their mouths in singing with your chorus ? Cheap bribery !

After achieved their goals, total hegemony/rich from industrialization through fossil fuel/colonization and robbing, its time to maintain the STATUS QUO?????? IE, no one else is allowed to become better/improve/ innovate etc, etc.

Stop parroting.

wherever china goes, thats the place disaster will follow. The only problem with Japan is, they only talk in paper, and endless meetings. You cannot deal with commies by using human civilized ways, use missiles, troops, F35 to talk to them! Long peaceful time and environment in Japan make the JDF forget how to deal with enemy and they are too kind, too sissy to commies

that's where your place is. In the banana republics, help these local officials with money and weapons

It is hard to say that relations with China are good for Pacific countries. Palau and other countries that are pro-Japanese are exposed to threats from China, such as China's selfish undersea research.

Furthermore, China's debt-ridden diplomacy is having a deep impact on Pacific countries.

No Pacific nation would want China's influence to grow.

elephant200Feb. 13 11:30 am JST

How much money to buy their mouths in singing with your chorus ? Cheap bribery !

Yeah, not what China does trying to derecognize Taiwan, right? That is just honest friendship?

nikFeb. 13 03:06 pm JST

that's where your place is. In the banana republics, help these local officials with money and weapons

They don't need weapons. I realize this is a surprise and disappointment for a country that only produces weapons and oil.

OKuniyoshiFeb. 13 12:01 pm JST

After achieved their goals, total hegemony/rich from industrialization through fossil fuel/colonization and robbing, its time to maintain the STATUS QUO?????? IE, no one else is allowed to become better/improve/ innovate etc, etc.

As soon as the PRC innovates something, let us know.

In other words . . .

China, keep your hands OFF!

Ho,Japan did not object to changing the status quo when it unilaterally claimed possession of the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands despite a previous agreement not do so.