So, What Was the Deal?

How did you like Jiro Sushi? For President of the United States, Barack Obama, it must have been unexpectedly hot with too much wasabi of Trans-Pacific Partnership, involvement in Senkaku and support for collective self-defense right. Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, looked like satisfied with the outcome of summit meeting in Tokyo. However, there was no substantial progress in bilateral relationship between the two.

In a joint press conference at the State Guest House on Thursday, Obama expressed U.S. obligation to defend Senkaku Islands under the provision of Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, which was already stated by Secretaries of State and Defense. He also stressed U.S. support for Abe administration that promoted reinterpretation of the Constitution to make possible of exercising collective self-defense force.

To Obama’s disappointment, the two leaders could not reach a deal in TPP negotiation. Selling this policy to the American public that it would create more exports and jobs, the President expected final conclusion in the minister-level talk. Despite, U.S. Trade Representative, Michael Froman and Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Akira Amari, was too lazy to reach an agreement over agricultural products and automobile.

Obama did not conceal his frustration. Although unofficial dinner in a three-star sushi restaurant in downtown Tokyo was reported as proceeded with friendly manner, the fact was that Obama kept on pushing Abe to make a deal. Given a direction from the President, Froman and Amari continued the meeting to the midnight, only resulting with no outcome. Losing ground for a deal, the summit talk finished without expected joint statement on reinforcing the alliance.

For Abe, the talk became useful for his domestic agenda. He at lease believes Obama’s support for collective self-defense can be persuasive for Japanese people to let them acknowledge the necessity of Japan-U.S. military cooperation. “That is why we need to amend the Constitution, which upholds pacifism in Article IX,” should be what he would mean.

It is still not sure, however, who is the final winner. To a question about the agreement meant U.S. involvement in Senkaku contingency, Obama gave no clear answer. Considering U.S. internal reluctance to being involved in collision between Japan and China over those small islands, or even rocks, Obama reserved a choice not to militarily help Japan, if China takes them. When this reservation is revealed, Abe will be grilled by the people in Japan as a loser.