Tokyo is considering exporting a missile system to the Philippines as it seeks to ease its weapons-export restrictions, Japanese media reported – a move likely to draw criticism from Beijing.
The missile system, dubbed Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile, is of the same type that Tokyo plans to deploy on Yonaguni, an island only 110 kilometres (68 miles) away from Taiwan. Beijing has blasted the deployment on Yonaguni as “extremely dangerous”.
Kyodo News reported on Sunday that Japan has held informal talks with the Philippines about the possible export of the Japanese-developed missile system, citing sources familiar with the matter.
A substantive study of the export is expected to begin once Tokyo formally decides to scrap a rule limiting defence-equipment exports – a change that could come next year, according to the report.
The truck-mobile air defence system has a range of 50km. With active radar homing, it can shoot down aircraft and cruise missiles. The Kyodo News report said the Philippine side has expressed its interest in acquiring the system for its military.
Manila is also locked in tensions with Beijing over the disputed South China Sea, where Chinese air force activities are frequent. In addition, the Philippines is part of the strategic “first island chain” in the Pacific, with its nearest island about 140km from Taiwan.
Tokyo’s move came as the Sanae Takaichi administration seeks to revise the country’s Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology, which guide its arms exports. In recent years, Tokyo has repeatedly sought to revise these principles.
Tokyo and Manila have also increased defence cooperation in recent months. The two US allies have both taken stances against China’s activities in the East and South China Seas amid maritime disputes.
Under Japan’s current guidelines on defence equipment exports, only five categories of defence equipment – for rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping – can be sold to Japan’s security partners.
The three principles, originally laid out in 1967, stated that weapons would not be provided to communist bloc countries, nations subject to United Nations arms embargoes or states involved in or likely to be involved in international conflict. The principles were expanded in 1976 to effectively cover all areas of the world.
Last month, Beijing blasted Japan’s deployment of Type 03 missile on Yonaguni as “extremely dangerous”, saying it stoked regional tensions and military confrontation.
Tokyo’s expanded military capabilities have also raised concerns.
In October, Takaichi said she intended to increase Japan’s defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP by the end of March next year, fully two years ahead of the deadline set by previous governments of her ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
In September, a new defence pact between Tokyo and Manila, both US allies, allowed the Japanese military to deploy in the Philippines for the first time since World War II.
Less than a month after the pact took effect, Japan and the Philippines held a five-day joint military exercise, which included the delivery of emergency relief supplies to the Philippine island of Cebu.
The drill was conducted a day before China’s People’s Liberation Army held its annual joint exercise with Malaysia.
Two days later, Japan took part in another joint drill involving regional allies, led by the Philippines and the US.
Last month, Japan had exported domestically produced Patriot surface-to-air missile interceptors to the United States, a move which Chinese observers and media said has sent an “extremely dangerous signal” indicating expanded military capabilities.
For years, Beijing has accused Japan’s political right-wing of trying to amend its pacifist constitution, alter its non-nuclear policy and expand its military capabilities. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
