France and Japan conduct military exercises amid tensions in China

2023-08-02 16:08:42, Kosova & Bota CNA

French and Japanese air forces completed four days of combat training in Japan on Saturday, the first of its kind between the two allies. But even as Paris seeks to build its military alliances in the Indo-Pacific region, the French government blocked a proposal to open a NATO liaison office in Tokyo. VOA correspondent Henry Ridgwell reports from Japan.

For the public and for Japan itself - this was something new. French fighter jets flying alongside Japanese fighter jets. The joint air exercises are part of a larger French exercise code-named 'Pegase 2023' that is taking place across the Indo-Pacific, including several islands, French territories.

"It is natural that France, a country that has territories in the Indo-Pacific, is particularly concerned by the geopolitical tensions felt in the region as a result of the competition between the great powers," said Stephane Mille, chief of staff of the French air force.

These tensions are also felt by NATO, which mentions China as a challenge to the interests of the alliance.

"NATO's interest is greatly influenced by what happens in the Indo-Pacific region. This means that NATO should be more committed to its interests", says security analyst Michito Tsuruoka for the Voice of America.

At its last high-level meeting in July, NATO debated opening a liaison office in Tokyo. But Emmanuel Macron, the president of NATO member France, blocked the initiative, despite its close alliance with Japan. Fabrice Pothier who has served in NATO policy planning explains the reasons.

"It is very clear that President Macron wants to avoid any kind of confrontation, or dynamic, that could lead to escalation with China."

China warned that opening a NATO office in Tokyo would 'destabilize' the region. There is no such risk, says analyst Tsuruoka.

"NATO is only talking about an office with one person. So, it will never change the balance of forces in the region."

For now, Paris is strengthening bilateral relations with Indo-Pacific allies.

"France is always inclined to emphasize that NATO is a Euro-Atlantic organization with somewhat clear geographic boundaries and responsibilities. And that extending beyond this limit is essentially exceeding its essential mandate", says Fabrice Pothier.

Japan and France say their joint exercise aims to 'support the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region'.

But does NATO have a role in this vision? It is a question that the alliance and its allies in the region still have to decide./ VOA