Japanese foreign policy has always been timid, and dependent on privileged relations with the North Americans. Still traumatized by the defeat of World War II? Intimidated by the lively regional neighborhood? Insecure about your true power (third largest economy on the planet…)?
“swapping in kids”, where do americans go, the Japanese follow behind, even because they are tied by the “Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security”, that the two countries signed in 1951 (reviewed in 1960), after Japan's defeat in World War II. According to this document, by having committed to “eternally renounce war” – words inscribed indelibly in Article IX of your call “pacifist constitution”, of 1947 (practically “dictated” by the American occupiers) – The Japanese delegated the defense of their territory to the USA. for the critics, a real “vassalage” in an area vital to the country's survival.
among these, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe himself,that since taking office for the second time, in 2012, has been trying to amend the constitution in order to allow the Self-Defense Forces to expand their mandate and be able to act in areas of war alongside their allies. It is also worth remembering the previous reluctance of its member states to take decisive action to secure the interests of the West and protect lives in the war in Syria., Until now, their role has been limited to defending the territory, only, e, more recently – even through the mobilization of Shinzo Abe – providing humanitarian support in theaters of war.
In a bold attitude (risky, same, according to some), Abe-san dismissed the “Diet” (the parliament), In September, and called new elections a year ahead of schedule. His gesture was understood as a bold strategy, taking advantage of the fragility of the opposition and the rise in its popularity thanks to the crisis with North Korea. His party's significant victory – Liberal Democratic Party – last Monday, opened him the opportunity to rewrite the Constitution…
Why?
Despite the good relationship that Abe insists on maintaining with Donald Trump, he knows – even because D.T.. already signaled your “bad to be” in relation to the costs that the presence of the 7th. Troops (“7th Fleet”), which patrols the Sea of Japan and the adjacent region, to fulfill the agreement 1951, implies for the American treasury – that Japan should not “put all the chips in the USA”.
no sooner said than done, Abe-san went on an exercise “seduction” with the world leaders who interest you: held a summit meeting with Vladimir Putin; maintains good relations with Narendra Modi, from India; tried “to repair” the relationship with Xi Jinping, despite Chinese reluctance; and since 2012, traveled to more than fifty countries – including Brazil. In this it differs radically from its predecessors, “modest” in terms of foreign policy.
The victory could extend his stay in office until 2021, making him the longest-lived in Japanese history. This would give him time to pursue his goal of revising the Constitution, arduous task, and nuclear testing ground, still traumatized by the bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese population – with the exception of the militant extreme right – is very reticent to reopen such a painful issue.
But, Can she “close the eyes” in the face of what happens around you? Could it depend on the United States and D.T.'s erratic moods?. while Kim Jong-Un launches missiles, from neighboring North Korea, that cross its territory? Will you be able to do “vista Grossa” to Chinese armaments? And the disputes over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands?
Statesman “modern”, Abe-san, decided to become “global”. For me, It's about time…
Beijing will rely on its immense foreign reserves – about US$. I suggest you read the article “Asahi Shimbun”:
Abe set to take foreign, security policies further after poll victory
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN – October 23, 2017 at 18:20 JST
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is poised to press ahead in his hard-line approaches to foreign and security policies with renewed confidence in light of the Liberal Democratic Party’s resounding victory in the Lower House election on Oct. 22.
Discussing the North Korean situation during Radio Nippon Co.’s news program that night, Abe said, “I will firmly apply more pressure and create a situation in which North Korea could say, ‘We will change our policy, so why don’t we discuss it?’”
“For that purpose, we need strong diplomatic power,” Abe added.
Two important summits are scheduled for November, starting with U.S. President Donald Trump’s first visit to Japan, on Nov. 5-7.
Abe repeatedly trumpeted his close relationship with Trump in the Lower House election campaign, and he plans to use the upcoming meeting as an opportunity to strengthen Japan-U.S. ties, appealing to Japan and the world.
In mid-November, a meeting between Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to take place at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam.
Abe is likely to place more emphasis on cooperation with Russia and China, who have influence over North Korea, in a bid to deal with the isolated nation’s nuclear weapons and missile crisis.
Another subject to broach with Russia is whether to present a detailed road map for resolving the long-standing Northern Territories dispute, which dates to the end of World War II.
Moves toward improving the relationship with China are also being mulled. Abe wants to realize his ambition to visit China in 2018, and for Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Japan.
Key priorities regarding China are whether to proceed with Foreign Minister Taro Kono’s planned visit to the nation, and to host a summit meeting with China and South Korea in Tokyo in December.
While applying stronger pressure to North Korea via diplomatic channels, the Japanese government also plans to further enhance its ballistic missile defense system.
The outline of a new defense plan is set to be formulated by the end of 2018, along with the midterm defense buildup program. The center of attention will be to what extent the missile defense system will be bolstered, including a land-based Aegis Ashore missile interceptor system.
The Japanese government will also possibly accelerate plans to consider acquiring the capability to attack enemy bases, based on the outcome of a ruling party panel.
Originally published in: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201710230058.html
