Too close for comfort ... The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Kurama (DDH 144) leads a formation with the Arleigh-Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USS Stockdale (DDG 106). Japan has expressed willingness to participate in patrols in the South China Sea. Source: US Navy

As a weeks-long naval exercise with the United States winds up, Japan’s Defence Minister Gen Nakatani has declared his nation is eager to assist the United States in its efforts to enforce the ‘peace and freedom of movement at sea’.

This may involve holding joint military exercises in the South China Sea, he said during a recent meeting with the head of US Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris.

It’s a move Beijing has previously declared to be ‘unacceptable’.

China is on “high alert for intervention by Japan in the South China Sea issue” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told the Xinhua news agency, pointing out that Tokyo had occupied many South China Sea islands during World War II.

Sending a message ... The USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group in formation with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships. Source: US NavySource:Supplied

China still deeply resents the invasion of its territories by Japanese forces in 1931. It was brutal occupation that only ended with the dropping of the nuclear bombs in 1945.

Japan’s ongoing reluctance to come to grips with the atrocities its troops committed in Asia against both prisoners of war and civilian populations does nothing to help the situation.

But Tokyo, after decades under a pacifist constitution, says it now only wishes to “proactively participated in activities promoting the regional stability including helping build the capacity of countries around the South China Sea”.

“The international community will not allow the unilateral changing of the status quo by force, and our country believes the same,” Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said last week. “The US believes the same, too, and we agreed on this point.”

China has since 2014 reclaimed 1174ha of islands across the Parcel and Spratley chains. It is rapidly completing the construction of a series of military bases upon them.

The United States and Japan, along with many other South-East Asian nations, are concerned China is seeking to assert control over the South China Sea’s fisheries, fossil fuel resources and arterial shipping lanes.

The sun rises again ... The USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group in formation with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships during Annual Exercise 16. Source: US NavySource:Supplied

JAPAN TO JOIN ‘MONITORING’ MISSION

China reacted angrily to the presence of a US guided missile destroyer in October. The USS Lassen deliberately moved within the 22km exclusion zone normally only applied to natural islands, but which China claims as its right around its artificial constructions.

“China is strongly against any country using the excuse of navigation and overflight freedom to engage in activities threatening the sovereignty and security of other nations, and facilitating regional militarisation,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said late last month.

Beijing warned any further such violations of what it regards to be its territory would result in a larger defence build-up and further construction.

Vice Adm. Yasuhiro Shigeoka, commander of Japan’s Self Defense Fleet, says his ship are now prepared to engage in regional patrol activities at any time.

EXPLAINER: Why China’s ‘sand castles’ has the US rattled

Last month the Japanese and US navies conducted a joint training exercise involving 32 warships over 10 days. At its core was a US aircraft carrier battlegroup, supplemented by 25 Japanese vessels.

“It’s a big step forward, and we want to do more of that in the future,” said Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin during a press conference aboard the USS Ronald Reagan.

Koydo News has reported Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Admiral Harry Harris, commander of the US Pacific Command, had agreed to continue the exercises in the disputed waters.

Previously, Japanese officials had been reluctant to commit to the idea of participating in South China Sea patrols.

New dawn ... The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during exercises to improve interoperability between Japanese and American forces. Source: US NavySource:Supplied

EMPIRES OF THE SUN

Japan is a key Asian military power. It is a strong ally of the United States.

Any attempt by the US to give its opposition to China’s island-grab an international face will have to involve Japan.

But memories of World War II remain a deep wound in much of Asia, even beyond China.

For the US, it’s an inconvenient truth that it has long since put behind it. Japan has long been a key strategic — and economic — ally.

But those wounds have recently been inflamed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visit to the controversial Yasukuni war shrine

The issue flared up again earlier this year with both China and South Korea vocally challenging Japan’s sincerity in apologising for its treatment and use of ‘comfort women’ during the Second World War.

As a result, Japan’s moves to abandon the pacifist constitution imposed upon it after World War II has been greeted with suspicion — despite Tokyo’s insistence this will enable the island nation to take part in international anti-piracy and relief efforts.

Now China’s building of artificial islands to support new military bases and extend its influence into the South China Sea has forced the issue to a head.

“The Chinese government has the right and the ability to recover the islands and reefs illegally occupied by neighbouring countries,” Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said last month.

In Beijing’s eyes, this includes the East China Sea Ryukyu Islands. This chain includes the sites of several bitter World War II battles, including Sakishima Gunto and Okinawa.

In September, Japan took the controversial move to pass legislation that would allow its military to act in the defence of its allies, even if not under attack.

This means Japan will be able to assist in the defence of a US ship.

“We urge relevant countries to contribute to upholding peace and stability of the South China Sea instead of flexing their muscles, creating tensions and promoting militarisation of the sea,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a recent press briefing.

United we stand ... Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan watch a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ‘helicopter destroyer’ during military exercises. Source: US NavySource:Supplied