Sober Dialogue of Ex-Axis

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Tokyo on Monday. Holding unbearable number of issues, the two leaders faced each other to find common ground. So, how was the result? They only showed their incompetence to cooperate with in the issues like conflict between Russia and Ukraine, interpretation of history or nuclear energy and climate change.

In the meeting over two hours, Abe and Merkel agreed on playing positive role for peace in Ukraine and reconfirmed that they would not be tolerate changing status quo by unilateral power. This is a typical wording of bureaucrats in Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The agreement was something both nations know without a meeting of their top leaders.

Germany is in a coalition accusing Russia of its aggressive actions on Ukraine. Merkel approved Japan’s cooperation in economic sanction on Russia, However, Russian President Vladimir Putin is one of the closest world major leaders Abe has, which is hard to believe. Japan is expecting official visit of Putin later this year. If that happens, it will bring some agreements on economic deals, which will actually work as a breach of concerted effort of sanction.

On post-war history, Merkel stressed efforts of Germany for reconciliation. “Wrapping up the past becomes a basis of reconciliation. With efforts for reconciliation, we could make European Union,” told Merkel in a joint press conference with Abe right after the meeting. Without referring to regional situation in Asia, Merkel urged Abe more effort to improve relationship with China, which is the biggest Asian Market for the European economic leader.

As the reason of getting rid of nuclear energy generation, Merkel raised Fukushima. “The accident in Fukushima changed my mind,” told Merkel. “It revealed a risk of nuclear generation that may happen in such a country with high technology as Japan.” Japanese Prime Minister does not realize what a European nation could learn from the unpredictably severe accident in his homeland. “Nuclear energy occupied a third of whole energy in Japan. After it stopped, we heavily depend on fossil fuels. We are responsible for supplying cheap and stable energy,” Abe explained. Be responsible for contaminated water flowing out to the Pacific Ocean everyday, Mr. Prime Minister, please.

In a keynote speech for a conference in Tokyo, Merkel emphasized the significance of global warming as the chair of Group 7 of developed nations. “This is important year for reaching binding agreement on climate change after 2020. Germany will cooperate with Japan as the successor of G7 chair,” told Merkel. Could Abe hear her message?