U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force officials jointly command Joint Exercise “Sword” Nov. 2, 2016 (U.S. Navy photo) U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force officials jointly command Joint Exercise “Sword” Nov. 2, 2016 (U.S. Navy photo) U.S. Navy photo)
In the face of Russia and the Chinese Communist Party, Ukraine and Japan have begun to work more closely together, especially in the areas of defense and security and military technology. In addition to supporting each other on territorial issues, Japan will participate in a major military exercise in Ukraine, which will not only help The Japanese military train its capabilities, but also enable the Japanese military to operate farther from Home.
Participating in important military exercises in Ukraine, the Japanese army will go far into the Black Sea
Ukrainian Defense Minister Taran concluded a two-day visit to Japan on March 17. This was not only the first-ever visit of a Ukrainian defense minister to Japan, but also an important breakthrough in a number of areas of relations between the two sides. During the visit, he met with the Japanese defense and foreign ministers and the two sides decided to hold a 2+2 strategic security dialogue this fall with the participation of defense and foreign ministers. Ukraine also invited Japan to participate in an international conference on the Crimea platform to be held in Kiev in August this year.
Taran said Japan will participate in two important military exercises in Ukraine this year, namely “Sea Breeze-2021” and “Joint Effort-2021”. Although the scale and manner of sending Japanese troops to Ukraine is not yet known, participation in the Ukrainian military exercises is undoubtedly of great importance to Japan.
In addition to using Ukraine as a platform to strengthen cooperation with NATO members in a military exercise close to actual combat, it will also be a more distant projection of Japanese troops overseas, and a response to the massive increase in Russian military forces and exercises in disputed territories.
The participation of NATO members in military exercises is of great significance to Japan
The “Sea Breeze” military exercise, which has been going on for more than 20 years, is jointly organized by the U.S. Sixth Fleet Command in Naples, Italy, and the Ukrainian Naval Command in Odessa, on the Black Sea coast, with the participation of other NATO members. The exercise is located in the Black Sea, not far from Crimea. Because of the Epidemic, last year’s military exercises were limited to maritime operations.
The Ukrainian Navy said that this year’s “Sea Breeze” military exercises will be greatly expanded. Coastal defense forces, submarines and other underwater forces, as well as the air force will participate in this year’s “Sea Breeze” military exercises.
Last fall’s “Joint Effort” military exercises were held in two southern Ukrainian regions adjacent to Crimea. The region is considered the most likely to be invaded by Russia. During the exercises, landings, landing sites and bridge-building by sappers were practiced. Ukraine also used newly developed shore missiles that could pose a threat to Russia’s Black Sea fleet.
The United States and the United Kingdom were also the main participants in last year’s “Joint Effort” military exercises. The British military conducted the largest parachute drop in nearly a decade. U.S. Fish Hawk helicopters, as well as B-52 strategic bombers escorted by Ukrainian MiG-29s, also took part in the exercise. Some Ukrainian military analysts say the “joint effort” military exercises are highly offensive and very close to the actual battle, which is a warning signal to Putin’s authorities.
The two countries to strengthen military-technical cooperation of Japanese troops to gain more
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said the two countries will exchange experience in the process of strengthening military cooperation, especially between their land forces and special forces. The two sides will also cooperate more closely in the field of military science and technology and military industry, including the exchange of military science and technology, as well as products with a military character.
The strengthening of military-technical cooperation between Ukraine and Japan will, on the one hand, help Ukraine to reduce its dependence on China and, at the same Time, will help Japan to learn more about the actual level of Chinese military technology.
The Ukrainian army has first-hand experience of direct engagement with Russian troops. Many middle and upper ranking officers in the Ukrainian army have completed their military Education using similar textbooks as the Russian army. By interacting with the Ukrainian army, many NATO troops and Japanese troops will have a better understanding of the Russian army.
The two countries have common values and interests
The meeting between the two defense ministers lasted much longer than expected, said a news release from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s press service. In addition to supporting each other on territorial integrity and sovereignty, both sides oppose illegal changes to the status quo on regional borders. Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi even emphasized that both sides respect universal values such as democracy and freedom, believe in the supremacy of law and share common values.
Ukrainian political scientist Soskin said that Russia has made a very bad start by unilaterally changing the status quo of its borders and annexing Crimea in violation of international treaties. Ukraine should therefore cooperate more with the international community and the countries concerned to fight for Crimea’s return.
Ukraine should also look farther and wider, he said, because the situation within Russia cannot always remain unchanged. For the South Kuril Islands and the Sakhalin region, which have historical ties to Japan, and some other European parts of Russia, it would be appropriate to ask the locals if they still want to live under Putin’s rule.
Soskin: “There should be a referendum in Sakhalin and the South Thousand Islands to ask the people there if they want to secede from Russia.”
Delicate timing for the two countries to get closer
The timing of this approach between Ukraine and Japan is also delicate. Ukraine and Japan both face the same threats and pressure from Russia over territorial issues. Tensions between Ukraine and Russia are escalating even more. Meanwhile, Chinese and Russian strategic bombers have held strategic cruises for the second time.
Despite former Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s strong push to strengthen ties with Russia in recent years, Russia has been increasing its military deployment on the disputed Four Northern Islands, or the South Kuril Islands, where advanced military equipment such as shore missiles and anti-aircraft missiles have been deployed. Russia is also building a large military infrastructure there, a move not often seen in the Soviet era. Some Russian military analysts say that Russia’s air defense and other military forces deployed in the Far East against Japan, a U.S. ally militarily, are quantitatively inferior to those of the Soviet era, but qualitatively far superior to those of that time.
After China’s acquisition of the key Ukrainian defense company “Madasic” and the failure of China’s attempt to acquire Ukrainian engine technology, Ukraine fears that China will retaliate, and strengthening ties with Japan at this time will also strengthen Ukraine’s position in its dealings with China.
Japan began to strengthen relations with Ukraine after the Square Revolution in 2014, when Ukraine turned even further toward the West and integration into Europe. The then Japanese leader Abe had visited Ukraine and provided assistance to Ukraine. Among the Western camp, Japan was aware at that time of the consequences that would result from Ukraine’s export of military technology to China and launched practical activities to try to stop it.
The meeting between the Ukrainian and Japanese defense ministers also specifically mentioned that free navigation and safety must be guaranteed in all waters. Unlike Japan’s proximity to the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, Ukraine faces the threat of a possible blockade by Russia in the Kerch Strait between the Azov and Black Seas. Ukraine and Russia share a common ring around the Sea of Azov. However, after Russia built a bridge over the Kerch Strait linking the mainland and the Crimean Peninsula several years ago, the issue of free navigation and security in the Kerch Strait has attracted increasingly close attention.
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