Beware! Japan's Defense Minister Runs to Australia and India to Promote Arms Sales, Aiming for "Re-Militarization"

【Global Times Report by Reporter Guo Yuandan】According to reports from Japanese media such as Kyodo News and Jiji Press, Japanese Defense Minister Kono Shin'ichiro plans to visit Australia and India from the 17th to the 21st. Japanese media stated that in Australia, Kono will meet with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Marles to discuss strengthening security cooperation "against China," and it is expected to confirm that Australia's procurement plan for Japan's new type of frigate is progressing steadily.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense announced the above news on the 14th. According to Japanese media reports, a key topic of Kono's meeting with Marles is Australia's procurement of Japan's upgraded "Mogami" class frigate. The upgraded version of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force "Mogami" class frigate has previously been selected by Australia as a new type of vessel for procurement.

Public reports indicate that the future upgraded "Mogami" class frigate will replace the Australian Navy's current "Anzac" class frigates. The ship has a displacement of about 6,200 tons, carries approximately 90 crew members, has a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles, and is equipped with a 32-cell vertical launch system that can be armed with anti-air and anti-ship missiles, as well as having anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

According to reports, Japan and Australia began discussions on the "Mogami" class frigate cooperation project starting in 2025. In April of this year, during Kono's visit to Australia, the two sides signed a relevant memorandum to promote the construction of new vessels for the Australian Navy based on Japan's upgraded "Mogami" class frigate. Reports indicate that the project plans to build 11 vessels, with the first three to be manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan, the first of which is scheduled to be delivered to Australia in 2029 and put into service in 2030, while the third is expected to be in service by 2034, with the remaining eight to be built in Australia.

It is reported that Kono also plans to hold a trilateral meeting in Canberra with Marles and New Zealand Defense Minister Peeni Henare to discuss Japan's proposed export plan for the modified "Mogami" class frigate to New Zealand. New Zealand revealed in May this year that it is considering procuring the same type of vessel as Australia to replace its aging "Anzac" class ships, allowing the navies of Australia and New Zealand to share the same technological platform in the future.

Military expert Zhang Junsha stated in an interview with the Global Times on the 17th that although Japan has included the "Mogami" class in its frigate lineup, in terms of tonnage, weapon systems, and combat capabilities, its firepower configuration is already close to that of some light destroyers. "Japan is tearing open the loophole in its pacifist constitution, selling missile frigates overseas, and attempting to achieve 'remilitarization,' going against the historical trend of military expansion, which is not supported by the people."

It is worth noting that the two rounds of dual-use item controls implemented by China in 2026 involve Japanese military enterprises, including Mitsubishi, and whether the first ship of the "Mogami" class can be delivered as planned is therefore uncertain.

In addition to Australia, Kono will also visit India and hold talks with Indian Defense Minister Singh to discuss defense equipment cooperation. Reports indicate that the topics being explored by both sides include Japan's export plan for the "Unicorn" stealth communication system to India. Inoue Runtaro, a researcher at the Japan Geoeconomic Research Institute, stated that potential areas for cooperation between Japan and India in the future include drone development, particularly systems for the defense of military bases.

Japanese media stated that Japan is accelerating the expansion of defense cooperation with Australia and India at this time, which is also related to its concerns about the United States' ability to supply weapons and ammunition. Inoue Runtaro noted that Japan previously believed it could rely on the U.S. in emergencies, but considering the limitations in U.S. production capacity, insufficient ammunition stockpiles, and long wait times for arms orders, the U.S. is now struggling to meet Japan's needs quickly. Therefore, Japan is seeking to expand military equipment cooperation with countries like Australia and India.

"From a geopolitical perspective, Japan is trying to use its containment of China as leverage to bind countries like Australia and India through arms sales and defense cooperation, further facilitating military cooperation networks among these countries to serve its so-called 'Indo-Pacific' geopolitical layout," Zhang Junsha stated. Japan is continuously breaking through the constraints of its pacifist constitution and post-war system while promoting the militarization and camp-based nature of regional security cooperation. This trend is not only detrimental to regional peace and stability but also warrants vigilance from countries in the Asia-Pacific region.