TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIGlobal
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
No Result
View All Result
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean

‘Befriend Taiwan, Get free vaccines’, Japan’s magnificent offer to the Pacific countries

Abhyoday Sisodia by Abhyoday Sisodia
July 4, 2021
in Indo-Pacific
Pacific Island nation

Photo courtesy of the Prime Minister's Office of Japan

Share on FacebookShare on X

With the void the USA has left the Indo-Pacific region, the only country that is filling its shoes is Japan. After time and again showing support to Taiwan both verbally and practically, now it has come to the rescue of the Pacific Island nations. The Japanese are offering a very easy barter, that is to befriend Taiwan and get their share of free vaccines. In a conference on Friday, Japan urged Pacific island leaders to unify against authoritarianism, providing coronavirus vaccine doses and economic assistance to a region that is becoming increasingly important in combined efforts with the US to counter Chinese expansionism.

Japan will provide 3 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Pacific island states and territories beginning in mid-July through the United Nations-backed COVAX global vaccine distribution initiative, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced Friday. Suga’s remark came as leaders of Japan and Pacific island nations and territories met online on Friday, with Tokyo attempting to promote its “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy” in an apparent attempt to challenge China’s expanding influence in the region. The 14 Pacific island countries are the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Also Read

Venezuela oil is flowing to the United States despite sanctions. No one is saying anything about it, says expert

China President Xi Jinping’s Secret Letter to India: A Strategic Move Amid Trump’s Tariff Threats

‘Your Purchases Killed Civilians’:  US Senator Lindsey Graham blamed India, China, and Brazil for Russian oil imports for Ukraine deaths, backing Trump’s tariffs. Who is Graham and why is he targeting India?  

As Beijing presses island states to terminate diplomatic ties with Taiwan, Japan and the United States are increasing their efforts to keep them on their side in a tug of war with an authoritarian China. Manabu Sakai, Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, told reporters after the conference that China and Taiwan “were not discussed at all.” However, Beijing’s expanding regional weight, fueled by its financial might, hung large over the proceedings. Japan has realised that the vaccines can be a big selling point to the Pacific Island nations, given the Chinese vaccines are failing left and right, and this transaction can be used to make Taiwan a relevant power in the region again.

At about similar timespan, according to the Foreign Ministry, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga held separate phone conversations with the leaders of six Pacific island nations (Fiji, Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu ) on Tuesday, urging them to join Japan’s efforts to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific area. Suga pledged Japan’s continuing cooperation in combating the COVID-19 epidemic to the six nations, while also promising a “safe and secure” Tokyo Olympics in less than a month, according to the ministry.

Read more: Japan is creating a Pacific Island nations’ alliance to take on China

According to the ministry, the Prime Minister also discussed Japan’s funding for infrastructure projects and renewable energy with the leaders of the six Pacific islands, asking for their support in Tokyo’s efforts to secure the return of Japanese people abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s.

As reported by Asia Nikkei, “The Pacific region faces new challenges, like competing with authoritarianism,” Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said at the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, or PALM. In addition to Japan, the online event drew 16 countries, including Australia and New Zealand, and two regions. “The PALM leaders emphasized their renewed and strengthened commitment to the importance of free, open and sustainable maritime order based on the rule of law,” according to a joint statement from the summit.

According to the ministry, the Prime Minister also discussed Japan’s funding for infrastructure projects and renewable energy with the leaders of the six Pacific islands, asking for their support in Tokyo’s efforts to secure the return of Japanese people abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. “Pacific island nations tend not to have a strong political ideology, so they can be swayed by attractive offers of aid,” said Izumi Kobayashi, professor at Osaka Gakuin University and president of the Japan Pacific Islands Association. “They need assistance that keeps them close.”

Tags: ChinaIndo-PacificJapanPacific Island NationsShort takesTaiwanUSAVaccines
ShareTweetSend
Abhyoday Sisodia

Abhyoday Sisodia

M.A. in East Asian Studies, Department of East Asian Studies, the University of Delhi, India. Deep interest in geopolitics, foreign policy and world affairs.

Also Read

India to have its own "Iron Dome": PM Modi Launches Mission "Sudarshan Chakra"

India to have its own “Iron Dome”: PM Modi Launches Mission “Sudarshan Chakra” in response to Missile and Nuclear Threats from Neighboring countries 

August 15, 2025
Japan Eyes Turkish and Israeli Drones to Counter China’s Military Moves in Indo-Pacific

Japan Eyes Turkish and Israeli Drones to Counter China’s Military Moves in Indo-Pacific

August 14, 2025
North Korea says 11-day U.S.-South Korea Military exercise is "A Direct Provocation," Warns of Strong Countermeasures Amid Signs of Easing Tensions with South Korea. 

North Korea says 11-day U.S.-South Korea Military exercise is “A Direct Provocation,” Warns of Strong Countermeasures Amid Signs of Easing Tensions with South Korea 

August 11, 2025
Putin To Visit India: Will This be BRICS Joint Response Against Trump Tariff War?

Putin To Visit India: Will This be BRICS Joint Response Against Trump’s Tariff War?

August 7, 2025
China’s Next Five-Year Plan and What It Means for the Changing World Order?

China’s Next Five-Year Plan and What It Means for the Changing World Order?

July 31, 2025
Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Unconditional Ceasefire After Deadly Border Clashes

NOT TRUMP! Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Unconditional Ceasefire Hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister After Deadly Border Clashes 

July 28, 2025
Youtube Twitter Facebook
TFIGlobalTFIGlobal
Right Arm. Round the World. FAST.
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • TFIPOST – English
  • TFIPOST हिन्दी
  • Careers
  • Brand Partnerships
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. View our Privacy and Cookie Policy.