Sec. of State H. Clinton Engages Asia, with her visit to Japan.

by Paschen | February 17, 2009 at 04:00 am

466 views | 24 Recommendations | 10 comments

By, Uwe Paschen.

Japan welcome Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Tokyo today. As usual and expected Japan gave The Secretary of State the most courteous welcome as it does for all official visitors. With traditional entertainment and a visit to the Shrine as well as the Tea ceremony.

NHK our National News agency described the event rather well and yet went back in time portraying a different Clinton and Obama that where not saying the nicest of things to each other as they ran for the nomination. This was shown in detail on NHK with clips of them saying some rather harsh words about each other especially Clinton was depicted on this more so then Obama.

What does it all mean? My personal feelings put aside here, I think no one actually knows what to make of all this, nor how to judge the US at present and all seem rather following the etiquette and staying polite. The visit of course was a great show and all PR work with little substance though.

Of Course, Clinton condemned North Korea; wish had its 67th birthday on Monday. North Korea said that it has the right for Space exploration and Rocket test. I think we heard that before from Iran as well and even though technically both are right, the US does not like the idea at all and maybe for good reasons since neither trusts each other. The abduction of Japanese Nationals by North Korea came up again on wish Japan feels betrayed by the US ever since it removed North Korea from the list of threats. For Japan this is an important issue by it self. The Threat of Nuclear Bomb by North Korea is also a grave concern Japan has.

Ironically the word used in the media in Japan for the Secretary of States visit was “Ready to Engage Asia” rather then “Visit Asia” and there is a nuance here that needs to be taken into account since what is important in Japan is not so much what is said but rather what is not said.

Clinton said for her part in her addressing Speech, "I have come to Asia as my first trip as secretary of state to convey that America's relationships across the Pacific are indispensable to addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities of the 21st century," and that, "The U.S.-Japanese alliance is vitally important to both of our countries, to the Asia-Pacific region and to the world," she said.

The agenda for a meeting between PM, Taro Aso and President Obama has already been set for the 24th of February 2009 in Washington.

The US Secretary of State did meet with the Japanese Defence Minister Hamada Yasukazu and both discussed the bilateral cooperation in realigning US forces stationed in Japan.  Where the two parties made an agreement that calls for transferring US marines from Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa to Guam, a US territory in the Pacific, and constructing a new airfield in Okinawa to relocate the US Futenma Marine Corps Air Station within the prefecture.

Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone official reply is that Japan is working on new legislation with the understanding that such a situation could occur.

NHK TV NEWS focused as well on Clinton her body languish and dress noting that wile she meet with the Foreign minister from Germany she wore Blue as she did wile visiting Japan, yet she wore Red wile with Obama and Black at official ceremony in Washington.

It almost seemed as if all where looking for the real talk and real meaning since the words where to well rehearsed and the show was a PR stunt with out much substance, in part most likely due to the fact that Japan is faced with a minority Government and elections around the corner.

All looked happy for the Cameras and where giving their best Smiles except Aso he was not smiling too much, but H. Clinton was at her best. Yet, not all worried about the pictures or dress codes. As FUKUHARA Koichi a former Chief Editorial Writer of Kyodo News Service and now independent Journalist in Tokyo writes,” it sound all to good to be true.”

As H. Clinton said before the Senate a week ago that the US needs to "use what has been called smart power, the full range of tools at our disposal -- diplomatic, economic, military, political, legal, and cultural -- picking the right tool or combination of tools for each situation" instead of leaning towards the "hard power" of military force. Those words where much welcome around the Globe and in Japan especially.

However, the toon seems to have changed somewhat and Japanese concerns seem to have grown again with Clinton saying, "Our alliance with Japan is a cornerstone of American policy in Asia, essential to maintaining peace and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region." At the same time, she also said: "China is critically important as an actor who will be changing the global landscape. We want a positive and cooperative relationship with China."

At this point it is difficult to get a clear and objective picture of it all and no one is any wiser today then we where a month ago. I suppose Time will tell. “Hope for the best and expect the worth” so it seems.

http://www.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/17_25.html

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news.html

http://www.nni.nikkei.co.jp/

http://www.asahi.com/news/

http://www.esuj.gr.jp/cgi-local/DocumentManager.cgi?dn=0&lang=en&md=view&pg=0&bmd=list

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/h-clinton-visit-japan-her-first-overseas-trip

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CJaye

at 08:45 on February 17th, 2009

Thank you for posting this Paschen.

Roy C

at 10:23 on February 17th, 2009

What can you say about a country such as North Korea, where its leader went out and kidnapped a film director to make a film about himself?

Where 5% of the population is in a kind of concentration camp, slowly starving to death?

Amy Judd

at 13:36 on February 17th, 2009

do you think there was some significance to her wearing blue?

Paschen

at 20:01 on February 17th, 2009

I am not an expert Amy, however from what I heard on NHK, Red is more of a female Colour as well as a Colour of war, where as Black is a Colour of Respect and neutrality.

Blue being more a Male Colour and a colour of nobility, dignity and Wisdom. The fact she was wearing Marine Blue is interpreted as a positive sign in Japan.

It seems that every thing is being over analysed due to a lack of clear contend and to much well orchestrated PR with out substance.

All remember the Bush era and yet a weary of the Obama euphoria becoming a soap bubble that burst.

It is a bit like, "People want to believe the US is changing for the better an yet fear that it will be the same with in a Year or Two."

Laughing-Samurai (not verified)

at 20:25 on February 17th, 2009

In Japan, the color red is associated with blood. Never sign anything with a red pen. Yellow is probably considered the best color for a women to wear, indicating warmth towards others. It wasn't so long ago when people (common) were only allowed to wear indigo blue (now jeans) and purple was strictly forbidden which is associated with the Imperial Family. I think more women wear pastel shades rather than solid colors. But Hilary's pant-suit will go down well here because many women wear pants!

Also, its good news for Okinawa that 8,000 troops will be moved to Guam I think?

Paschen

at 20:59 on February 17th, 2009

Thank you for the comment here Zichi, I do appreciate it. You must be my most loyal reader and commentator on my posts. :)

Yes, you are correct about the colours and in most Countries this was true at one point. Purple was a very difficult colour to make some time ago and only for Royalty, even in Europe it used to be so.

Laughing-Samurai (not verified)

at 23:33 on February 17th, 2009

Paschen, you are welcome. Yes I read your posts because I never deleted the RSS Feed, loyal reader and commentator, yes! probably. anyway, thank you Paschen, take care.....

gerrypopplestone

at 07:19 on February 19th, 2009

I think I saw you waving the flag as she arrived!

Roy C

at 01:32 on February 21st, 2009

President Clinton negotiated with North Korea. Everyone who liked Clinton thought the problem with North Korea was solved. Then North Korea went back to making the bomb.

Then Bush was prez. He was accused of refusing to meet with North Korea individually, one-on-one, while, at the same time, was accused of not consulting allies. This, of course, only made sense if you do not like logic or reason.

The Chinese, the ones who really have the power and the responsibility in that part of the world, read North Korea the riot act after the North Koreans set off a real nuclear device.

A while later, Bush thought he had a deal with North Korea. Once again, the problem was solved. Some didn't believe it.Most of the liberal press acknowledged the event but didn't give Bush any real credit.

Now, it has happened again. North Korea has gone back to making a nuclear bomb.

I ask you, Paschen, why is it that the US has to change? Both the liberal Clinton and the conservative Bush had been very patient and extremely "diplomatic" in their response to North Korea.

Why would it not be that North Korea had to change, and why is it the responsibility of the US? Why is it not primarily and almost completely the responsibility of China, South Korea and Japan to solve the problem?

Frankly, I would remove all our troops but a skeleton force from South Korea. Many of them like the North Korean dictator and I feel that they should grow up and grow a pair and take care of themselves without our men, our technology and our money.

Just a thought.

Paschen

at 05:12 on February 22nd, 2009

Not, bad at all Roy. Change is not in regard to North Korea and the US more so on Global politics concerning the Middle East, Israel-Palestine, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan as well as Pakistan. You are correct about North Korea in part. I personally do not worry to much since China would never ever allow North Korea to act or use any nuclear device what so ever and should they try, China would level them. Japan and South Korea have to start coming clear and good with China and Russia not so much a question of Growing up but rather one of over coming old demons. The US does still have a responssabillity though since it did cause in large part the dilemma some decades ago yet a dept is still outstanding.

I think that most would welcome a complete US Military withdraw from South Korea as well as from Japan only the US do not want to do that them self.