Clear Difference on Diplomacy

The first Presidential Debate by Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in the suburb of New York on Monday was reported in Japan as dominated by Clinton with no decisive hit. While Clinton was well prepared for policy talks, the discussion fell in a negative campaign on personality of each other. On diplomacy toward United States allies including Japan, however, Clinton showed knowledge as an experienced politician.

Japanese media explained the strategy of Trump side as showing preparedness for being President. Criticizing the handling of administration led by Democrats, Trump attacked Clinton over job issues. “Our jobs are fleeing the country. They’re going to Mexico,” stressed trump. Proposing tax cut for companies, Trump resembled him Ronald Reagan to rebuild domestic economy.

However, Clinton eventually overtook Trump in the latter half of the debate. She required Trump actual idea for defeating Islamic State, criticizing lack of viable policy. Mainichi Shimbun reported that the climax came in five minutes at the end, when Trump questioned Clinton’s stamina for dealing with international negotiation or trade deals. The paper quoted Clinton’s words, “as soon as he travels to 112 countries and negotiates a peace deal, a cease-fire, a release of dissidents, an opening of new opportunities in nations around the world, or even spends 11 hours testifying in front of a congressional committee, he can talk to me about stamina,” as powerful response against Trump.

On the issues related to Japan, there appeared a clear contrast between the two candidates. Clinton accused Trump of his conviction not caring if other nations got nuclear weapons, Japan, South Korea, even Saudi Arabia. “He even said, well, you know, if there were nuclear war in East Asia, that’s fine, have a good time, folks,” said Clinton. Trump could not reply, only reiterating “It’s lies.”

Trump was terribly innocent on the facts. “We defend Japan, we defend Germany, we defend South Korea, we defend Saudi Arabia, we defend countries. They do not pay us. But they should be paying us, because we are providing tremendous service and we’re losing the fortune,” said Trump. Although bilateral treaties between Japan and U.S. demand U.S. Force to pay for all the costs for stationing Japan, Japanese government has been paying for salary of workers in the bases, appliance fees or construction of buildings. The payment for U.S. Force amounts to ¥377 billion in FY2016. Japan also pay for realignment of U.S. Force, moving of Marine to Guam. A story that Japan does not pay U.S. is a lie.

It was comfortable for the Japanese when another candidate reassured that the U.S. had mutual defense treaties with Japan or other allies. Innocent political novice is nothing but a destroyer of bilateral credibility.