Japan’s recent dispatch of warships to New Zealand – its first in nearly 90 years – signals Tokyo’s intention to take on a greater security role in the region and counter what analysts call increasing Chinese “geopolitical opportunism.”
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Carrying more than 500 crew, the two Maritime Self-Defence Force destroyers docked in Wellington last Friday as part of an Indo-Pacific deployment that included war games with Australia, New Zealand and other partners.
The symbolic visit reflects Japan’s intent to deepen defence cooperation with like-minded nations and expand its naval footprint further away from its territorial waters, according to observers.
“Our defence forces are developing cooperative work, not only with New Zealand and Australia but also many Pacific Island countries,” Japan’s envoy to Wellington, Makoto Osawa, said last Friday.
“Our main goal is the free and open Indo-Pacific,” he added.
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Such deployments to the far South Pacific are uncommon for Japanese naval vessels, but the region’s rich fishing grounds, critical resources and strategic sea lanes have become focal points for competing interests. Western powers, China and regional states are intensifying their military, economic and diplomatic outreach to Pacific Island nations.