Mr. Obama to meet with Mr. Hatoyama in Tokyo today.

by Paschen | November 12, 2009 at 02:27 am

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By, Uwe Paschen.

In Japan not only the weather seems cooler this days, on its political front it seems even chilling, at least as far as relation with the U.S. are concerned.

This Thursday the 12s of November 2009, wish would be Friday here in Japan, the President of the United States of America Mr. Barack Hussein Obama is schedule to arrive for an official visit here in Tokyo to meet with his counter part The Prime Minister of Japan Mr. Yukio Hatoyama.

This may very well be the most contentious that the relations between the two countries have been since WWII. Even the crisis of the 1990th can not measure up to the state the relations are in today since Japan announced it would no longer participate nor collaborate with U.S. military endeavours. The Japanese government said the country is withdrawing from an eight-year-old mission in the Indian Ocean to refuel warships supporting American efforts in Afghanistan. Further, Japan will no longer purchase U.S. military equipment, notably Japan cancelled the purchase of the F-35 fighter jets and stated through the voice of its Defence Minister that it will look for alternative out side the U.S.

Japan does not seem to be intimidated nor impressed by either threats or pleas coming from the U.S. Government and seems to make true on its promises to move away from U.S. Politics, developing its own foreign policies and seeking out new trade relations.

Japan’s Government is under political pressure here. More than 20,000 Okinawa residents held a protest rally against U.S. bases last week, and residents have been vociferous in letting the government know that they expect it to keep its campaign promises. Other groups in Tokyo and Hokkaido are equally forceful and watch their governments every step to ensure it keeps its electoral promises.

Mr. Obama may not want to push any issues nor be as forceful or arrogant as his Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates was when he last visited Tokyo in October. Mr. Gates pressed Mr. Hatoyama and the Japanese military officials to keep their commitment on the military agreements. This was followed by a dismissal to the request to reopen talk over the U.S. Bases in Japan.

The Obama administration has tried to minimise the damage since, but it just seemed to have created even more determination in the Japanese Government to move ahead and keep all electoral promises as laid out in their manifesto.

“Japan sees its future more within Asia, not the U.S.,” said Eswar S. Prasad, an Asia specialist and professor at Cornell University in a recent interview with the New York Times.

The U.S. administration and Japan’s government do no longer seem to see eye to eye nor to be able to find common ground above and be on the Diplomatic protocols of politeness.

The U.S. bases in Japan are far from being the only point of discord, nor does the cancellation of the collaboration with the U.S. military seem to be the worth. On other issues such as the Taliban, the U.S. and Japan do radically differ from one another. Wile the U.S. is nurturing a full-scale war against the Taliban, Japan wants to rehabilitate them and reintegrate the Taliban fighters. Japan is pledging $5 Billion for aid programs in Afghanistan rather then more war. This is only one of many points where the two no longer seem to be able to agree.

One thing is certain though; Japan has engaged in its own foreign and domestic policies and as long as the U.S. keep the course they have been on for some decades now, So long the winds blowing from Japan towards the U.S. may be some what cooler if not even freezing.

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/h/yukio_hatoyama/index.html?inline=nyt-per

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/world/asia/11japan.html

http://www.skynews.com.au/world/article.aspx?id=392379

http://two--plus--two.blogspot.com/2009/11/japanese-protest-us-base-before-obama.html

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djermano

at 06:22 on November 12th, 2009

Good Article Uwe...We all know that domestic development is in the better interest of the new Japan Government.. Supporting more war lead by the US..does nothing for Japans economy.. It does nothing in my opinion for American economy either..but it does benefit the crazy Elite War Mongers..that include the Entire Joint Chiefs of Staff...and their defense contractors.... Japan may have benefited from having trade into US markets..but even that is limited.. I remember lot's of people were gripping back in the early 1980's how America won the War..but Japan is clearly the benefactor in US markets.. The US administration under Reagan did the same thing Obama is doing to the China exports into the US.

America has never returned Japan to Japan after all these years...and in my opinion a crime. Not only was dropping the Atomic bomb on Japan a Terrorist Act by the United States...but the US has had Japan leashed like a dog to the master USA.... subjected to do the tricks the US demands....and throwing treats when they obey.

It is hardly a healthy relationship. America has never apologized for using such a deadly weapon that was clearly used to frighten the the rest of the World body..that the US is the World authority. No one will convince me that they needed to use that horrible weapon..when clearly the phosphorus weapons they had were just as effective...indeed throwing out the lame excuse that they wanted to end the war quickly.

Instead America plays this terrorist act in front of China..as if the revenge for Japans atrocities in Nanjing.... The truth is Japan wanted the US and UK out of China..and to end their Opium markets...

The situation is that Japan and China are deeply culture oriented...while the US is not... And since the US is not...it has become more of a lazy man's credit free for all...no one caring about the value of things....so as things appear expensive from this misuse of credit..people think America is very rich..when in fact they are quite poor...and so poor...even the poor house is in negative territory. Really bad shape..... Yet the big Military Machine keeps up its' facade on the American people..while they buy their patriotic mumbo jumbo...and make not only the US hated....but affecting all the countries America has bombed to hell and back.

Japan can not survive under the thumb of American non-cultural values...Nor can China... Yet America has this psyco mental illness that they have a right to tell Asian countries how to live and behave....corrupting them to believe in the worthless Stock Market...and making them money hungry fools...like the money humgry fools in the USA.

Granted Japan may lack jobs...but the issue is not really jobs... It has to do with how we perceive the military in the World. No business can prosper when War dictates the direction of economies. There simply is too much risk... And it is risk that they hedge bets on....instead of the real safety and for sure stable business partners in the market....

Japan would benefit more if the US ended the War in Afghanistan...and when the US gets its military out of Japan.. Has Obama even considered that by removing troops...and ending the War.... that the Eurasian Countries could build a pipline much more quickly and certainly 75% less the cost it would take a US company to do? Think of that? And the cost of getting the Oil to US markets when piped through Afghanistan would be less than the cost in getting oil from Saudi Arabia and Iraq... And no more killing of innocent people...and loss of lives to troops in Afghanistan...

They say they don't want Afghanistan to be a training ground for terrorists... But they do not consider that, that is the type of Military Afghanistan wants....A terrorist Military in my opinion has to be the best fighting option for any govenment in the military business.. They are defeatng the greatest and most expensive military in the world....I call that great....and quite the backbone of success.

Helping Japan I think would be to remove US troops, apologize for using the Atomic Bomb, and support Japan to build ocean farms for its fish.. I would think one of the biggest business in the world is the fishing industry...and it requires we need to raise fish like we grow crops, as the same as raising chickens, and sheep...etc.. The US can be very supportive in bringing this new industry to the forefront...This includes raising whales...... Also I think another great way to make jobs is to build ships that grow food. This way food can be easily transported anywhere in the world without inland transportation costs.... The world is starving, and with bad weather...and the like...ship farming I think can only solve the drought problems..and insect problems.... While people are watching the Fish farms they can also be working to build ship farms....I also think technology can make ship farming enjoyable.... Picture a floating greenhouse...if you will...

Japan has lots of smart young graduates and people wanting to bring good benefits to the world and to an Independent Japan.. Take the leash off Japan and I say they will be an inspiration to all of us.

The Rev.

Hugh Askew

at 09:25 on November 12th, 2009

Gosh, next thing you know, we will find out that the US actually attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, to have an excuse to go to war with Japan.

Why should the US apologize for ending a war that Japan started?

My memory seizes up trying to recall a defeated aggressor nation treated with more compassion than Japan after WWII. Germany, perhaps.

If you can name another one, i'll listen.

djermano

at 21:57 on November 12th, 2009

Actually Hugh....the US was building forces in Hawaii intent on invading Japan before Japan attacked. The US along with Britian were supporting their take-over of China with their growing opium markets. The US was trading Opium in Japan and doing the same tactics as Britian...in hopes of taking land as the UK in taking Hong Kong. They wanted a similar scenario in taking Japan... Thing is they have Japan now because of the war and atomic bomb use.. Resistance by the Japanese to American and Western evils in the Opium trade...have been an ongoing battle in the history books. Americans and UK refuse to admit they were dirty drug dealers...and murderers of the innocent Japanese and China Culture. The West are criminals to say the least, and Asia has always been fighting to get hold of their benevolent culture back.

And using the Atomic Bomb is a major terrorist attack on Japan despite the fact the war was ending. . . They could have used phosphorous bombs as they did in Tokyo and Dresden....but they chose to use the A bomb as a supreme weapon. ..They say it was meant to end the war..but clearly it's use has created more wars, and more people determined to have nuclear bombs to protect their nations and homeland.... America has a some serious apologizing to do..and stop their Military tantrums. They are outlaws and they know it.

The Rev.

YankeeJim

at 08:03 on November 14th, 2009

While lecturing in Japan at Nihon University in Ichigaya, I had an opportunity to ask some WWII era professors about their understanding about why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. The simple answer is that the US Commander Matthew Perry forced Japan to open international trade. When you leave a scar in history, people don't get over it, they get even.

Now, perhaps, they should thank Americans for making Toyota #1. American revenge could be to make Ford #1.

Paschen

at 03:37 on November 15th, 2009

Thank you for the comment YJ, just one update here, VW is #1 now and Toyota is #2.

YankeeJim

at 05:35 on November 15th, 2009

Wow, I did not know that. The criteria for #1 for me is "Can I drop my car off for repair and walk back to pick it up?" I have only three options: Toyota, Honda, or Mazda (Ford for the moment).

djermano

at 04:26 on November 16th, 2009

That international trade was the product called Opium.....Everyone likes to say protectionism is a bad thing.....but really it is a national concensus....if not there would be no militaries. If they want to stop protectionism, then get rid of the Military. Trade does not mean forcing a nation to accept the goods from another...whom do not have any use for it...in concern to cultural characteristic, economic cost, and personal use....

The Rev.

albertacowpoke

at 07:56 on November 12th, 2009

Interesting Development.

Amy Judd

at 08:24 on November 12th, 2009

Good piece, thank you for this.

a211423

at 09:25 on November 12th, 2009

It has been suggested that 8,000 Marines be moved to Guam, and the air base relocated to a less populated area of Okinawa. But from what I have read the people of Okinawa want the military gone completely. Japan and the U.S. have been strategic partners in the Asian-Pacific for many years and the alliance has benefited both, most recently with the emergence of North Korea as a nuclear threat, but if the Japanese people feel confident in their defense capabilities and their political ideolgies are in conflict with the U.S. particularly in Afghanistan, then the U.S. should consider moving Pacific operations to Guam.

Japan must feel confident in their position in Asia and will be looking towards China in the future. I hope whatever Japan decides, it will benefit the people of Okinawa and respect their wishes.

jazzyzazzy

at 09:25 on November 12th, 2009

Peace train coming, Hmmm Floating greenhouse,how lovely.

J2B (not verified)

at 09:46 on November 12th, 2009

Since Pres. Obama will only be in Japan for about 24 hours, which includes a visit with the Emperor, it's unlikely we'll have any statements about any major policy changes including the issue of US bases in Okinawa. This is an issue which needs some kind of resolution but we will not see any changes within the next year. There are many Americana too, who would like to see a reduction in the number of overseas bases, including the 20 odd located in Germany.

snuffysmith

at 10:29 on November 12th, 2009

Japan Cools to America as It Prepares for Obama Visit -- New York Times
Foreign Policy: Pacific Angst Between U.S. And Japan -- NPR
US, Japan to call for nuke-free world: reports -- AFP
Japan to Reassure U.S. On Alliance At Summit -- New York Times/Reuters
Japan to Tell Obama It Wants Okinawa Marine Base Closed -- Voice of America
Barack Obama visit to Japan overshadowed by hit and run accident -- The Telegraph
Japan demands US soldier face hit-and-run charge -- ABC News (Australia)
Okinawans Grow Impatient With Dashed Hopes on US Base -- New York Times
Japan to Tell Obama It Wants Okinawa Marine Base Closed -- Voice of America
Reshaping an Asian partnership -- Washington Post

Paschen

at 01:38 on November 13th, 2009

Thank you snuffysmith, some of those are very interesting article in deed. There is more here about EASEAN since Japan wants to become a full member along with China and form a union based on the EU model. I am still looking for one more link about this.

http://www.aseansec.org/18757.htm

http://www.aseansec.org/18741.htm

a211423

at 10:32 on November 12th, 2009

http://www.washprofile.org/en/node/2149

Here is a good article about American military bases around the world and their impact on the local economy as well as the negative aspects of these bases, and their international strategic significance.

Closure of military bases in the U.S. also spark controversey as the local economy, especially in smaller municipalities, can lose revenue and businesses that have evolved based on a military presence. No matter where these bases are located, some of the same considerations in closings exist. Sometimes there is little to no impact as with the Panama Canal bases. The US gave the Canal over to Panama in 1989, closed the military bases and withdrew all of the troops out of Panama.

Japan's decision appears to be based on the will of its people.

Roy C

at 10:37 on November 12th, 2009

We should get out of Japan. The measly 25,000 dollars they pay for each serviceman, or they did in the '80s, doesn't even begin to cover the cost.

Sorry, Paschen, while Japanese industry was busy destroying Detroit, you were getting your defense bill subsidized by the American taxpayers.

How about a whole lot of money more and then how about rebuilding Detroit while you are at it?

J2B (not verified)

at 00:07 on November 13th, 2009

it wasn't the Japanese who destroyed Detroit, it was your fellow Americans who bought better quality cars at cheaper prices than the the American car industry provided which was entrenched in their old ways and could even see it coming. Today, Americans want cheap clothes from China. This is all according to the principles of free market capitalism.

Yuliya Talmazan

at 10:56 on November 12th, 2009

Good visit preview. Thanks!

Roy C

at 11:03 on November 12th, 2009

In fact, Paschen, it is worse than that.

Basically, by holding your currency fixed, Japan has conducted an economic war on the US. Yes, you are guilty of economic imperialism.

Your economy tanked in the early '90s in a way that will soon hit China, which employs a similar fixed currency to destroy competition in the US and even in Mexico.

Once upon a time, the Japanese had the top ten banks in the world. By 1994, not a single bank of the top ten was Japanese and nearly half that list had ceased to exist. Now we have that disease too with Obama applying failed Japanese policies to our sick system.

Your economy has not grown because your politics resists restructuring. Your system of distribution is so inefficient that a Toshiba computer cost less in Los Angeles than Japan for years.

Your retirees were so busy building the Japanese economic juggernaut, that they stopped making children and now there are not enough young people to pay into the retirement systems. You risk economic disaster.

Yet, the Japanese resist all manner of immigration because of a deep, deep cultural chauvinism and fear of foreigners.

So, I don't see Japan as any kind of example to follow right now.

djermano

at 22:14 on November 12th, 2009

Roy I remember that the US prevented Japan from moving forward with buying and investing in the US during the Reagan administration....Your idea that they fix their currency is false...We think your dollar is over inflated to say the least..so the Asian markets have a flexible currency based on a basket approach of many currencies and taking that average for their stabilized value..

You have to realize that expansion met its limits....and by being under the thumb of the US..Japan has always been frozen in US law.....it is now that the US is taking the dose of its own poison it has had on Japan for so many years.

It is your domination and slave owner tactics that prove how much of a liar the US has become....You hucksters are great at twisting everything to your miserable conclusions..and if you think Japan is nothing worth to follow.....I need to say it is 100x fold for you in the US to not to follow as well.... So suck it up Roy....Recognize you people messed up...and allow the rest of the world to get on with doing things, without your ill pointless ideas..and dragging us into the pit of economic ruin.....Don't tell us your BS..when clearly your banks are the crooked books that had Japan on frozen ice for all these years...

The Rev.

J2B (not verified)

at 11:36 on November 12th, 2009

Without a US military presence, Japan would be unable to defend itself against some future invasion by China or Russia, both countries are immediate neighbors. There would be an unbalanced shift of power. In 2008, China was spending 2.0% of it's GDP while Japan spent 0.943%. China intends to increase it's military spending to 4.0% of it's GDP.

Paschen

at 19:45 on November 12th, 2009

I think this is paranoiac to some extend and fear mongering as well J2B. China or Russia would not invade Japan.

Switzerland is neutral and no one does invade it. Even in WWII it was left alone.

I think Japan is on the right track and peace is a much better goal to have then fear and hostile politics.

Fear, power, Greed and hate are leading only to war and more fear and more injustice.

You are British-American and maybe why you may be so afraid of the future and can not see another reality to be possible and plausible for your self.

J2B (not verified)

at 22:19 on November 12th, 2009

I disagree with your comment. One would hope or even wish that wars and invasions of countries didn't happen or that they won't happen again in this modern era but the fact is, they have have happened since the beginning of history. A country needs to be able to protect itself, and even Switzerland makes some attempt at that. Every citizen has a bicycle and rifle. I also think the best path is one of peace but with China doubling it's military spending we need to think about that too. This region is volatile with two superpowers and China becoming one, and N. Korea building bombs. There are fights over oil and gas rights. In the near future, countries will go to war over affairs like "water!" So even a peace loving nation needs to protect itself. The question is, will Japan be able to do it without the help of America?

J2B (not verified)

at 22:33 on November 12th, 2009

like someone said on your other post, "be a smart pacifist instead of a dead one!"

J2B (not verified)

at 22:40 on November 12th, 2009

Paschen, "why must you alway try to belittle those who don't agree with you?" It just reduces the quality of your post and comments.

Paschen

at 01:09 on November 13th, 2009

Sorry you feel that way J2B. Did you ever ask why China is arming, or why it is acting as it does?

China is no more a danger then the U.S.A., Russia, India or some other players in this equation.

Japan is no threat to China, nor of much interest. It has no resources other then its technology and know-how.

Japan is only of strategic interest to the U.S.A. due to its proximity to China and Russia.

It is to far from the U.S.A, t be of interest for China or Russia. Further you may not have read the news yet, but Japan does intend to join ESEAN as a full member and transform it into an Asian EU.

ESEAN does include China and Burma. The idea is actually good and it seems to be more then well received by all so far. The EU is a great success and does benefit all EU members rather well. If ESEAN can achieve this as well and learn from the mistakes the EU made, it will be a great success and benefit all its members.

It would also be a formidable economic force and unite a large part of Asia.

J2B (not verified)

at 02:13 on November 13th, 2009

did you ask why China is building nuclear attack subs which is well beyond it's own needs for defense? Are you saying, in this comment, that if there were no American bases in Japan, China wouldn't increase it's defense spending to 4% of it's GDP, and it would stop building nuke attack subs? In the future, Japan could have many resources including water, oil, gas, to name a few. You don't know the intentions of China and are using guest work in your comment. Like last year, Russia invaded Georgia.

Paschen

at 14:04 on November 13th, 2009

J2B, I do respect your opinions and sentiments. This does not oblige me to agree with you at all times though. China has Russia and India to deal with and wise versa as well.

Pakistan being unstable as well as many other Muslim countries is not only a problem for the U.S. but more so for China with its own Muslim population and for Russia as well.

Further Chinas military equipment is far outdated and part of this is simply modernisation of its armed force, every country that can afford it is doing it. It is in a way no different then upgrading your computer.

The U.S. are only part of the equation here, but Energy certainly is of big concern to all. China does however invest far more into renewable energies as is then any other supper power does today. I think Russia is far more worried about China then any one else is or should be.

Russia did not invade Georgia, it did invade South Ossetia though in 2008, also known as the Russia–Georgia War, was an armed conflict in August 2008 between Georgia on one side, and the Russian Federationtogether with Ossetians and Abkhazians on the other. South Ossetia was seeking independence from Georgia and Georgia was armed by the U.S..the U.S. isn’t exactly a detached observer in the fight. The American military has been training and equipping Georgian troops for years.

The first U.S. aid came under the rubric of the Georgia
Train and Equip Program (ostensibly to counter alleged Al Qaeda influence in the Pankisi Gorge); then, under the Sustainment and Stability Operations Program. Georgia returned the favor, committing thousands of troops to the multi-national coalition in Iraq. Last fall, the
Georgians doubled their contingent, making them the third-largest contributor to the coalition. Not bad for a nation of 4.6 million people.

Before the break-up of the Soviet Union, South Ossetia operated as the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast, an autonomous region within the Georgian SSR. A military conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia broke out in January 1991 when Georgia sent troops to subdue a South Ossetian separatist movement. The separatists were helped by former Soviet military units, who by now had come under Russian command.

The 1991–1992 South Ossetia War between Georgians and Ossetians had left most of South Ossetia under de-facto control of a Russian-backed internationally unrecognisedregional government. Some ethnic Georgian-inhabited parts of South Ossetia remained under the control of Georgia. A similar situation existed in Abkhazia after theWar in Abkhazia (1992–1993). Already-increasing tensions escalated during the summer months of 2008.

J2B (not verified)

at 02:31 on November 13th, 2009

I should have also said, that Japanese has the largest number of nuke power stations in the region. 30 or 50 years from now, you and I will have gone, and "Mad Max" may have become a reality when counties go to war over water, electrical power. We should all strive for world peace but we also live in a very fragile world!

Paschen

at 14:42 on November 13th, 2009

Japan is the tenth most densely populated country in the world, with no natural resources what so ever. It is plagued with Typhoons, Earthquakes and a dying Coral reef.

Japan lacks significant domestic sources of fossil energy except coal and must import substantial amounts ofcrude oil, natural gas, and other energy resources, including uranium. In 1990 Japan's dependence on imports forprimary energy stood at more than 84%, and the country had a total energy requirement of 428.2 million tons of petroleum equivalent.

It does need to import Uranium, Oil, Steel and food since it can not feed its own population due to several factors.

Here are two interesting reads for you http://eneken.ieej.or.jp/en/data/pdf/110.pdf

http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/energy/diplomacy.html

Now, if I was China, and knowing all about Japan, I would not even bother invading it nor threatening it or using it as naval base.

Japan is strategically only of interest to the U.S. due to its proximity to China and Russia.

Even in the worth of scenarios, Mad Max would not bother with Japan.

It is far more likely that the U.S. invade Canada or that Russia invades Canada then any one invading Japan.