A rising China, a hostile North Korea and the imperatives of global trade have stirred Japan into looking at India as an "invaluable ally" in the emerging security calculus in Asia.
Speaking of the multi-faceted nature of India-Japan relations here Friday, former Japanese defence minister Shigeru Ishiba said that his country would like to work with India closely to keep a watch over China.
"The recent increase in interaction between the defence forces of India and Japan shows a consolidation of the ties. India and Japan have to work as closely as possible for peace and prosperity in Asia," Ishiba said at the 7th Asia Security Conference here.
Over 50 academics and strategy experts from India and abroad are participating in the seminar organised by Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).
Supporting India's candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council, Ishiba said: "Japan, along with India, must occupy a more responsible position in the UN."
"India is an invaluable ally. But economic ties are far lower than their full potential," said Ishiba, who is also chairperson of the committee on defence policy issues in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) that is a key constituent of the ruling coalition.
Asserting his country's sensitivity on nuclear weapons, Ishiba said: "As the country worst affected by nuclear bombs, Japan will not take the step to develop nuclear weapons. We are for long-term commitment to CTBT (comprehensive test ban treaty) and NPT (nuclear non-proliferation treaty)."
"Complete disarmament is important. Japan will cooperate with India in this respect," Ishiba said.
This new tone of courtship stood out in sharp contrast to the post-Pokhran days when Japan stridently criticised India's nuclear tests from every global forum and imposed sanctions on New Delhi, which were however lifted later.
"Ishiba's views reflect the changed context of India-Japan relations after India conducted nuclear test in May 1998. His views also mirror those of a crucial constituency in Japan's political establishment," said C. Uday Bhaskar, officiating director of IDSA.
Japan is on the cusp of a major makeover in its national security policy, especially regarding its current dependence on the US over security affairs. Revealing the current strategic thinking in the ruling political establishment, Ishiba hinted at Japan going its own way and finally exercising the right to self-defence.
"There is an increasingly powerful voice in Japan advocating the right to strike at enemy bases if the need arises," Ishiba, who is leading a push to have his government approve plans for a missile defence shield to protect Japan.
"We are discussing a new constitution in Japan in which the right to self-defence figures prominently," said Ishiba, who is also a member of the constitution drafting committee.
Signalling Japan's return to the global arena as a "normal country," Ishiba took extra care to stress the point that keeping a watch over China doesn't mean a policy of containment. "A vigilance with regard to China doesn't mean that Japan regards China as a threat," he said. "On the contrary. Economic ties are getting better. Trade between Japan and China exceeds total trade between Japan and the US."
In the same breath, Ishiba urged circumspection vis-à-vis China. "Nonetheless, greater vigilance is required. We must remain attentive to the modernisation of military by China. China is developing what is called a blue water navy and is trying to improve the performance of submarines in the Pacific," Ishiba cautioned.
He also alluded to public opinion polls in Japan that shows a continued distrust of China. "What came out clearly from Ishiba's speech was that both India and China are increasingly wary of each other," said Uday Bhaskar.