Three months before finishing his term, Japanese Prime Minister
Junichiro Koizumi visited the United States. Koizumi not only likes
to create a dramatic effect in domestic politics, but also on the
world stage. Like a singer saying goodbye to his audience, Koizumi
planned his farewell to office. During his visit to the States,
Koizumi's meeting with US President George Bush and Japanese-US
diplomatic relations became a focus of the international media.
During Koizumi's term in office the alliance between Japan and
the US has strengthened and options for broader cooperation have
been explored. The governments issued a joint statement entitled
'Japan and the US Alliance in the New Century'. It outlines the
countries' shared values, common interests and the responsibilities
and challenges arising from changes in the Asian security
environment. A report from the Japanese media said that in the
future the Japanese -American alliance will focus more on military
cooperation.
The US is also expecting Japan to continue supporting the US in
its global strategy. The Japanese prefer to rely on US protection
and support to become a political power as soon as possible rather
than develop its own diplomatic strategy. Of course, President Bush
hopes that Koizumi's successor will also follow US lead.
Both countries have stressed cooperation with and utilization of
China. The joint statement said that Japan and the US should
cooperate with China to maintain peace and security in the
north-eastern region of Asia. It seems that Bush is leading the way
and Koizumi is following. Bush considers China the key to US
economic success in Asia. His idea has been well recognized in the
US.
?
The American people have expressed increasing concern about
Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine where World War II Class 'A'
war criminals were held. The US government has indicated or warned
Japan many times that Sino-Japanese relations could greatly affect
US interests in Asia. But Koizumi didn't care. In fact, China could
assist Japan in coming out of recession and establishing an East
Asian Development Community.
However, for reasons both personal and political Koizumi
continues to be unfriendly towards his neighbors. Obviously, to
cooperate and utilize China's vitality which is set by the US side
is a subtle way of dissuading and comfortably containing Japan.
Sensitive Japanese media have felt this.
The issue of Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine has been
internationalized, and this is not Japan's only 'diplomatic debt'
in Asia. This was reflected during Koizumi's visit to Ottawa, when
a Canadian anti-war group submitted an open letter to him pointing
out that his visit to the Shrine had harmed Japan's peaceful and
friendly relations with its eastern Asian neighbors. When Koizumi
arrived in the US, there was a report in the Times Weekly
which suggested that Koizumi's attitude towards his visit to the
Yasukuni Shrine not only weakened his credibility, but also
weakened the US' impact on Asia.
Bush has once again talked about Sino-Japanese relations during
the summit. Last year, Koizumi defended himself by saying that only
China and South Korea criticized him. In fact, the issue has drawn
criticism from people all around the world even the American media
have criticized his actions.
Koizumi's successor will inherit not only the benefits of his
diplomacy with the US but also his 'diplomatic debts' with other
Asian countries. And debtors have to pay back what they owe
eventually.
(People's Daily Online July 6, 2006)
