Japan, which is engulfed in a bitter territorial dispute with China, told an annual security summit today that it aimed to play a cooperative role in regional maritime disputes.
The countries have been immersed in a long-running battle over what the Japanese call the Senkaku Islands and the Chinese call Diaoyutai. China recently asserted its dominance by sending government ships into Japanese territorial waters in April.
"A strong Japan will play a responsible role in the area of regional security and exercise strong leadership as expected by the international community," Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera told the meeting in Singapore.
He stressed the importance of avoiding tensions in the region "not by violence but through dialogue," adding that Tokyo would promote regional cooperation.
"These efforts are crucial in the pursuit of our national interest which is to maintain and strengthen international order based on fundamental values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law," Onodera said.
Japan has boosted its defence budget and the size of its military for the first time in nearly a decade. Onodera said Japan was reviewing its defence policy and was in the process of creating a security council to address issues related to the military and national security.
Onodera praised the US military presence in the region, calling it 'indispensable' and said both countries were working to increase Japan-US cooperation.
Onodera acknowledged challenges in Japan's relationship with Beijing, but said he expects China to play a responsible role as "a superpower."
Onodera added that he supported efforts by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations to establish a code of conduct to reduce tension with China over the South China Sea. China also has numerous disputes with several countries over ownership of potentially oil-rich areas in the South China Sea.
