Ignoring Discrimination on Moslems

On the policy of rejecting the people from some Islamic countries by President of United States, Donald Trump, the Japanese government has not expressed any objection or concern. Following Trump’s intolerant policy, Japanese airlines began to reject boarding of citizens from listed seven countries on the airplanes going to U.S. Japan looks like supporting U.S. discrimination on the Moslems.

In the discussion of Budget Committee in House of Councillors, the opposite lawmakers asked Prime Minister Shinzo Abe about how he would deal with the issue. “I am concerned with the measure that causes restriction of freedom, retaliation or separation. How do you think?” asked President of Democratic Party, Renho. Chairman of Japan Communist Party, Kazuo Shii, required Abe to say what should be said for international morality.

For Abe, it was something he would not care. “I think it was an idea of U.S. government expressed through an executive order. I am not on the standpoint to comment on it,” said Abe in the committee. He reiterated a general principle that the problem of refugees needed to be dealt with in international society. Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, commented that immigration would be internal policy in a country.

Impact on Japanese economy has already been seen. All Nippon Airways and Japan Air Line decided to reject passengers from listed countries to transport to U.S. Japanese trading companies are worried about the impact on their workers from the listed countries in business trip. “It is too sad for me knowing what is happening in U.S. Can it be tolerated to exclude specific religion, specific country in a uniform way? I don’t think so,” said President of Rakuten, Hiroshi Mikitani. Rakuten would offer the citizens of the listed countries free overseas call to U.S.

The response of Japanese government was based on a notion that the Japanese would not be excluded forever from the list of unwelcomed citizens. How can it be, anyway? If exclusion of Islamic citizens is tolerated for protecting U.S. from terrorism, Japanese businesspeople will also be rejected in the name of protecting U.S. economic interest. Trump is going to do everything to make America great again or be first.

Newspapers criticized the policy of Trump administration. Mainichi Shimbun labeled it as an outrage disgracing U.S. conscience. “The executive order reminds of psychological national seclusion against Islamic sphere,” told the editorial of Mainichi, requiring abolition of the order. So, where is the conscience of the Japanese?

Wanting to Be a Good Friend

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had a telephone conference with United States President Donald Trump on Saturday. They reconfirmed the importance of Japan-U.S. alliance and exchanged their opinion on trade policy and security issues. They also agreed on having the first meeting after inauguration of Trump in Washington, D.C. on February 10^th.

According to the reports of newspapers, Abe congratulated Trump of his winning of Presidential election. “I’m going to do everything I have said. Starting is important. I know the importance of the relationship with Japan,” told Trump, based on the information from Japanese government officials. White House released that both leaders reconfirmed deepening bilateral trade and investment and cooperation against threat of North Korea.

It is obvious that trade issue will be the focus in their meeting next month. Trump has been expressing his frustration with car trade with Japan. “Bilateral economic relationship is very important. Let us talk about it in next meeting,” told Trump to Abe. Although Abe explained that Japanese carmakers had been contributing to produce jobs in U.S. for many years, Trump did responded to it.

It is expected that Trump will demand Abe many things. He will possibly pose higher tariff on Japanese cars, require Japan to import more amount of agricultural products or accuse Japan of its manipulation of foreign exchange rate. For Trump, bilateral free trade agreement with Japan must be more preferable for U.S. than Trans-Pacific Partnership which he dislikes.

Security issues are less controversial for both leaders. Trump wanted Abe to welcome Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, who was going to visit Japan on May 3^rd, introducing Mattis as a reliable expert on security issues. Trump actually demanded in his Presidential campaign 100% payment of cost for U.S. Force to station in Japan. It is possible that sharp discussion over the maintenance of Japan-U.S. alliance will start immediately.

Diplomacy of Trump administration has a tendency that he distinguishes good friends from not good. While Trump was polite in the meeting with British Prime Minister, Theresa May, the attitude to Mexican President, Enrique Peña Nieto, was entirely intimidating namely on border control. Japanese government officials expects good relationship with Trump, delighted with extension of time of telephone conversation of both leaders from planned 15-30 minutes to 40 minutes. They need to hope that the distinction between May and Peña Nieto was not based on ethnic reason.

Discussion for Academic Freedom

Universities in Japan are considering how far the distance between academic community and military study should be. After Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency of Ministry of Defense introduced new policy called Security Technology Study Promotion System in 2015, which would subsidize for military studies, researchers have been discussing correctness of study for military purposes. A committee in Science Council of Japan released interim report of their arguments earlier this month.

One of the major talking points in their discussion was about academic freedom, which Constitution of Japan guaranteed. Academic community has been improved with openness and independence of studies. One big question in the committee was whether the outcome of studies subsidized by the government could be opened. Although ATLA would support openness of every study, President of Kyoto University, Juichi Yamagiwa, appealed that the decision of disclosure should be made by each researcher, based on a notion that studies related to national defense could not always be disclosed.

As the government kept on reducing budget for academic studies, independence had seriously been concerned. Professor Emeritus of Nagoya University, Satoru Ikeuchi, indicated that a number of researchers hoped to maintain their studies under difficult financial condition. On the other hand, Professor Emeritus of Kyushu University, Toshimitsu Komatsu, encouraged military study, recognizing academic contribution to national self-defense as an obligation of citizen.

Another major talking point was distinction between military and civilian technologies. There is a study, for example, of power-assisting bodysuit, ordinary used for rehabilitation from illness, for military personnel in battlefield. Technology of cardiogram for fetus can be applied to detecting signal from submarine or launched missile. Most members of the committee realized that military study could not be distinguished from study for civilian purpose. While one argued that goodness and malice over security technology in cyber space could not be distinguished, another required protecting system for every scientific technology that would always be taken advantage of.

The interim report required guarantee for independence of academy, which had historically been regulated by the government. Subsidy for military study was recognized to be causing intervention by government officials. The committee also hoped every university to establish checking system for appropriateness of studies possibly related to military purpose. Academic freedom in Japan is in jeopardy to the extent that researchers have to discuss their basis for studying.

Losing Main Businesses

Toshiba Corporation, one of the major Japanese technology conglomerates, announced on Friday that it would reduce the volume of its business related to nuclear power generation. Although nuclear power generation had been the top business after acquisition of Westinghouse in 2006, Toshiba had to review it with huge amount of loss in construction of new plant in United States, which was revealed last year. One of the giant corporations in Japan, having been paralleled with Panasonic or Sony, is now struggling for survival.

Chairman, President and CEO, Satoshi Tsunakawa, told in his press conference that Toshiba would no longer put the highest priority in energy business on nuclear power plant. “We will separate nuclear power plant business from power generation section and put it directly under the president. This is a measure for thorough controlling of cost for construction project in U.S.,” told Tsunakawa.

Toshiba also decided to separate the business of flash memory from the corporation, which was the most major product in semiconductor business section. That plan will be authorized in shareholders general meeting on March 27^th and establish new company for flash memory. Toshiba has the biggest share of flash memory in the world except Samsung in South Korea and it estimates the value of new company to be as much as ¥1.5 trillion. Toshiba is going to accept offer of investment within 20% of whole share.

Management crisis of Toshiba appeared at the end of last year, when it announced estimation of large amount of loss in nuclear power plant business in U.S. The unexpected cost related to acquisition of CB&I Stone & Webster was proved to be ¥680 billion. That cost was stemming from stricter regulation for safety after the severe accident in First Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant.

Toshiba had been suffering from the scandal of inappropriate accounting two years ago. To revitalize its business, Toshiba had to cut off a part of its body. After accepting help from external investors for flash memory business, the benefit it can receive will be reduced, according to its share. Toshiba already gave up its original business of home appliances or cutting-edge medical equipment for rebuild its management.

The biggest concern is excess of debt in next accounting period in March. Although separation of flash memory will save the company from the crisis, Toshiba no longer has main body for earning major profit. It is not an unrealistic scenario that the conglomerate is disorganized.

Changing to Bilateral Deal

Suffering from unilateral withdrawal of United States from comprehensive free trade deal called Trans-Pacific Partnership, Shinzo Abe administration began to consider bilateral trade deal with U.S. Wait a minute. TPP is practically a bilateral deal between Japan and U.S., based on deliberate negotiation by both governmental officials. It is U.S. to be blamed on its selfish discard of an official agreement between the states. Abe has to tell U.S. President Donald Trump to implement what sovereign nations once agreed on.

In the discussion at Committee on Budget in House of Representatives on Thursday, Abe revealed his willingness to make a bilateral trade deal with U.S. “We will also negotiate on bilateral deal. Economic Partnership Agreement or Free Trade Agreement is not impossible,” said Abe, keeping an idea of persuading Trump to come back to TPP in next meeting. Abe also stressed that he would protect agricultural interest in the bilateral deal as Japanese government tried to do in TPP.

Abe hopes to have a meeting with Trump as soon as February 10^th. In that meeting, trade deal and maintenance of Japan-U.S. alliance will be the main issues for both leaders. It is predictable that Trump will demand bilateral deal with Japan, based on a notion that TPP is not a fair trade deal in terms of car trade with Japan. Carmakers in U.S. accuse Japan that it manipulates rate of foreign exchange to encourage car exports.

However, TPP is not basically acceptable for Japanese farmers as U.S. carmakers are. Both governments reached a notion that the deal would be valuable for their economy even with a part of sacrifice. Trump is trying to break up the achievement and establish another deal which will be profitable only for U.S. That can allow any government in the world to discard treaty with any domestic inconvenience. Iran can discard nuclear deal. China can leave international framework on climate change. Then, is U.S. going to walk out of United Nations?

So, how can the bilateral deal make difference from TPP? One may imagine that another Wendy Cutler, former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, and another Hiroshi Oe, former Deputy Chief TPP Negotiator, accumulate their meeting for tariff on cars, beef, rice or butter. Another U.S. Trade Representative and another Japanese Minister will sign the new deal, which will not necessarily be preferable only for U.S. During the prolonged negotiation between Japan and U.S., China is likely to make further economic advance in Asia-Pacific region, posing their own rule to the nations. One of the officers in Japanese government expects TPP to be activated after Trump leaves White House.

Concern on Uncertain America

Both Houses of the Diet had a discussion between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and party leaders for three days this week, questioning the details of his policy speech last week. Abe showed his basic stance of taking opportunity of new administration of United States for reinforcing Japan’s security capability, while no concrete countermeasure against U.S. walking out of Trans-Pacific Partnership had been found. Donald Trump is still a wild card for Japanese politics.

Co-chairman of Japan Restoration Party, Toranosuke Katayama, asked Abe in the Plenary Sittings of House of Councillors about the perspectives on Japan-U.S. alliance after inauguration of Trump. “Our nation is going to reinforce defensive power and expand its possible role,” answered Abe. That was an announcement of enhancement of the alliance with further security contribution of Japan based on new security legislation that enabled Japanese Self-defense Force exercise collective self-defense right. “As the alliance is cornerstone of our diplomatic and security policies, I hope to establish unshaken ties with Trump administration,” told Abe.

Trump has made clear that U.S. Forces in foreign countries had to be reduced without further support from host nations. While refusing prediction on what kind of support Trump would require, Abe insisted on the importance of Japan-U.S. alliance for peace and prosperity of the region where China or North Korea was enhancing its military capability.

Economic relationship is further invisible. On how to deal with U.S. economic policy, Abe refused to suppose future plan of U.S. government until Trump Cabinet would be completely built up. “It is expected,” told Abe on TPP, “that TPP is going to be a standard in 21^st century, having come through negotiation for years.” He listed up some other economic deals such as Free Trade Agreement with European Union or Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in Eastern Asia, both of which were not hopeful to be concluded.

Secretary General of Democratic Party, and former Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, demanded Abe to say something about Trump’s rudeness of using Twitter for telling Toyota Motors Co. his hope to abandon new factory in Mexico. Answer of Abe was something waning. “It is networking society and social networking services are indispensable for political activities. A lot of world leaders use it,” said Abe. Abe insisted that he still kept credibility on Trump and hoped further discussion with new volatile U.S. President.

Demanding Discussion for Amendment

In the midst of international focus on inauguration of President of United States, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made his annual policy speech in the Diet on Friday. While he had to deal with complicated relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, Abe showed his willingness to tackle such important domestic issue as constitutional amendment. It can be an epoch making session of the Diet.

Abe administration achieved two-third majority in both Houses for amendment of Constitution of Japan last summer. He has closely been watching the time for taking action for it. Quoting an old example of cram cultivation in Tosa, located in southern coast of Shikoku Island, which caused broad frustration in the people who wanted to consume crams, Abe required the people vision for future.

As usual, Abe accused the opposite parties of their obstinate protest against his administration. “It produces nothing, if you spent entire time for criticism or raised banner in this organization for discussion. Let us draw conclusion through honest and constructive discussion, when we have different opinions,” told Abe. Then, he proposed concrete discussion over constitutional amendment in Commissions on the Constitution in both Houses.

Newspapers interpreted his words as his eagerness to conclude the argument over which provisions should be changed in this Diet session. Secretary General of Liberal Democratic Party, Toshihiro Nikai, announced earlier this month that constitutional amendment would be one of the greatest issues this year. One of the LDP lawmakers hoped to determine the provisions for amendment before the Constitution Day of May 3^rd. If Democratic Party refuses discussion on it, Abe might go ahead only with supporters of amendment, LDP, Komeito and Restoration Party.

Even though Trump was moving forward to new relationship with U.S. allies, Abe insisted that Japan-U.S. relationship would not change as the fundamental foreign policy of Japan. “Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnership will be the standard and basis for economic cooperation to build economic regime for 21^st century,” told Abe.

Rest of the speech had nothing new. He reiterated necessity of One Hundred Million Mobilization, reconstruction from disastrous earthquakes, local revitalization, tourism promotion or positive cycle for growth. Saying nothing about Emperor’s abdication, Abe tried to lead the discussion without intervention of opposite parties or radical conservatives. Power of the Diet looks like shrinking too much.

Temporary Abdication First

The Experts’ Meeting on Emperor’s Abdication released on Monday its “talking points” for the issue, which implicitly recommended temporary legislation only applied to current Emperor Akihito. Akihito does not refuse working to the end of his life, even if demanding discussion of legislation for stepping down in order to bring stability in imperial system. Shinzo Abe administration, however, leads the discussion to temporary measures, bringing instability in constitutionalism.

The meeting raises two options for lightening the burden of Emperor, which is under current legislation and changing rules. In terms of change under current legislation, the meeting is negative on reducing burden of Emperor’s works in mattes of the state, because it mainly includes signing or stamping on documents, which no other person can do. They also conclude that official events have already been reduced as much as possible. They think temporary deputy for matters of the state does not work, because the heaviest burden is official events.

So, the meeting leans on changing rules. They dismiss easier establishment of Regency, because they interprets Regency as only possible when the Emperor loses intentional capability. This interpretation is not written anywhere in the Constitution of Japan. They also raise the reasons for or against abdication, which are leaning on introducing abdication in imperial system.

Then, the meeting leads the discussion to whether abdication should be applied temporary or permanently. On permanent legislation for abdication, they raise ten positive reasons and twenty-three negative reasons. Positive reasons are mainly based on necessity of maintaining legal stability topped by Constitution of Japan, which require compliance of succeeding throne with Imperial House Law. Negative reasons includes that temporary legislation is instantly possible or that it is difficult to make a standard applicable for all the Emperors in the future.

They raised four positive and three negative reasons for temporary legislation. To rule out unintended abdication, the positive reason upholds an opinion that abdication is exceptional. On the other hand, the meeting introduces a viewpoint that abdication will be working for stability of imperial system in the future of Japan that will be highly aged society.

Deputy Chairman of the meeting, Takashi Mikuriya, explained that their talking points have to be read in detail. But, newspapers interpreted the outcome to be paving the way for temporary abdication. That was because the discussion in the meeting was not sufficient in terms of constitutionality.

Refusing New President

Japan still refuses cerebrating new President of Unite States. Newspapers reported on Monday how not only America but the world rejected Donald Trump in the streets. Asahi Shimbun wrapped up the protest as demonstration by 4.7 million people in 80 countries. Mainichi reported that over a half of the Japanese predicted deteriorated relationship between Japan and U.S. Division spreads out in the world.

The Japanese seem to be hoping to share the resentment against Trump with protesters in U.S. Newspapers reported women protesters with pink cap in Washington, D.C., claiming rights for women, sexual minority, disabled or environment, joined by Madonna or Scarlett Johansson. Their message included Black Lives Matter, Build Bridges Not Wall, or Climate Change Is Real. In New York, protesters including Whoopi Goldberg marched toward Trump Tower in Fifth Avenue, raising board reading Trump Makes America Hate.

Counter action could be seen in Europe. Right wing leaders advancing with populist policies got together in Germany to appeal their arguments. In Alternative European Summit, the Leader of Party for Freedom in Netherland, Geert Wilders, raised mostly the same messages of Trump: “Make my country great again” or “Elites jeopardize our freedom.” “Brexit was the first real blow to the old order,” told Marine Le Pen from France.

Seeing the world leaning on right wing, pessimistic sentiment spreads into Japanese society. In the poll of Mainichi, 56% of the respondents predicted that the relationship between Japan and U.S. would be worse than now, overtaking 29% of “no change” or 5% of “getting better.” In the poll last month, 45% of them had been thinking it no change. 51% expected new leader in Japan, indicating the same trend of populism in the world.

White House announced that Trump would have a meeting with British Prime Minister, Theresa May, in Washington, D.C. on Friday. Trump had telephone dialogue with Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, or Mexcan President, Enrique Peña Nieto on Saturday. While dismissing North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement, Trump took the first diplomatic step in traditional way. Although Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, tried to take early opportunity to meet Trump, hopefully this week, the turn for Abe will be in February. While it is still unclear whether Abe was recognized as a pet of new U.S. President, another nightmare for the Japanese is Abe to join international right wing trend.

American Nightmare Began

Inauguration of President of United States, Donald Trump, was reported to Japanese people with live coverages. The great Divider in Chief began to destroy the achievement of his predecessor, Barack Obama, on the first day of his position, which reminded of dynamiting of Buddhas of Bamiyan by Taliban. The Japanese leaders witnessed American nightmare through Trump’s new policies such as stepping out of Trans-Pacific Partnership or abolition of Obamacare.

Certain amount of the Japanese still doubted that Trump might not take the office, imagining little possibility of assassination. That kind of unrealistic hope was crushed by his taking oath in front of Chief Justice, John Roberts. United States was still democratic enough not to cancel the ceremony of inauguration for broadly unwelcomed President.

The inauguration address was filled with internal messages. Trump defined the event as a ceremony of not merely transferring power from one administration to another but from Washington, D.C. to the people. Raising mothers and children trapped in poverty, rusted out factories scattered like tombstones, education system flush with cash and the crimes and the gangs and the drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed the country of so much unrealized potential, Trump declared that American carnage stopped right there. Dismissing former administration with ignorance of old mistakes by his own party could resemble the way Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took in his administration.

Japanese governmental officials who focused on the direction of Japan-U.S. alliance looked like disappointed with emptiness of the address. Trump insisted that U.S. would reinforce old alliances and form new ones and unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism. One of the officers in Japanese Ministry of Defense saw no actual policy in his speech that ended with reiteration of his campaign slogans last year.

For the nightmare of Japan, Trump’s inauguration destroyed fundamental basis of Japan’s international trade, TPP. “From this day forward, it’s going to be only America first, America first,” Trump cried out in his inauguration adderss. “We will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world, but we do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interest first,” told Trump. After stepping down from the status of world policeman, U.S. started appealing its own right as a nation, ignoring its obligation or responsibility as the world leader. That is the greatest concern of Japan, or maybe nightmare, which security heavily relies on U.S.

Reemployment Conspiracy

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, or MEXT in its odd abbreviation, turned to be a great machine pushing its bureaucrats into universities in Japan, using influential power on subsidies for schools. The ministry has illegally recommended a former Chief of High School Education Bureau, Daisuke Yoshida, to Waseda University for its Professor and concealed the process of the reemployment. Vice-Minister of MEXT, Kihei Maekawa, decided to step down to take responsibility of the incident.

According to the reports, Yoshida was employed in Waseda University in October 2015, after retiring MEXT two months before, with organized efforts of recommendation. The officers in Human Resource Section of MEXT involved in offering resume of Yoshida to the university. Not only backed by the recommendation, Yoshida had contacts with the university before he left the ministry.

National Public Officers Act revised in 2008 prohibits public officers in Ministries recommending their workers or retirees to private sectors that have interest with their job. It was to maintain fairness in job market. But, MEXT has a power to decide which studies in universities should be subsidized. Universities need connection to the Ministry to receive public money from the government. Such reemployment is called “amakudari,” that means falling from the heaven.

While the government detected two cases of violation to revised National Public Officers Act, Yoshida’s case should be the first case in which an organization collectively involved in amakudari. Suffering from financial insufficiency, private universities like Waseda always need support from the government. Taking advantage of the weakness, bureaucrats in MEXT kept on pushing their retiree to private schools.

After further investigation, MEXT found 37 suspicious cases of recommended amakudari, 9 of which were determined to have been illegal. Human Resource Section made fake scenario that Yoshida was introduced by his predecessor who had been employed in the university after the retirement. Maekawa was also involved in that kind of recommendation.

Japan has been called the heaven for bureaucrats. Possessing large power and broad knowledge in policies, the officers in Ministries can have great influence even after the retirement. It is possible that MEXT has built a permanent system for their reemployment. That does not comply with the principle of Shinzo Abe administration, which upholds fair and active role of employers for further economic growth.

High Level Poison in Soil

Tokyo Metropolitan Government released the result of two-year investigation on underground water in Toyosu, where it had a plan to build new fish market. The government detected poisonous materials exceeding standard level at 72 points out of all 201 investigated. It is inevitable that the schedule of opening new market will be delayed for further research.

The result was worth surprise. The investigation detected benzene at 35 points, which density was as high as 0.79 milligram in 1 liter of underground water, exceeding environmental standard of 0.01 milligram. Arsenic was also found at 20 points, which density rose to 0.038 milligram, exceeding the same standard for benzene. The standard was set for no harm for human health with drinking two liter of the water everyday for seventy years.

Serious result was detection of cyan, which must not be found to contain it within the standard level. The investigators found cyan at 39 points, which level rose up to 1.2 milligram at the highest. Although mercury or lead was not detected, it is a serious damage for one of the biggest fish market in the world that deals with raw fish for Japanese cuisine such as sushi or sashimi.

Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, looked like appalled. “I was surprised with the unexpected data. I hope the experts’ meeting to discuss how this problem should be treated. The schedule will depend on their conclusion,” said Koike. As long as Koike postponed the opening of Toyosu Market, once planned in last November, for reconfirmation of food safety, she has to make a difficult decision on opening day of the market.

The government is going to make another research for reconfirmation. If the soil cannot be guaranteed its safety, it is possible that the government will have to give up opening the market. ¥600 billion of money poured into building Toyosu Market can be in vain. Wholesale marketers have invested tens of billions of money for their facilities like refrigerator. They may file lawsuits, requiring compensation to Tokyo government.

Why did the government choose the place, where chemical plant had been installed, for new fish market? It was former ultra-conservative Governor, Shintaro Ishihara, having complicated security situation of Northeast Asia by announcing purchase of Senkaku Islands, who decided move of Tsukiji Market to Toyosu. Some indicate hidden interest of Tokyo Assembly members, related to the moving plan. The biggest job for Koike is to clarify what was in the background of the plan.

Dissent Between Politics and Imperial System

Vice-Grand Steward of Imperial Household Agency, Yasuhiko Nishimura, announced a notion of the Agency on Emperor Akihito’s abdication that it would be difficult to set the ceremony of enthronement for next Emperor on January 1^st. It was because New Year’s Day would be so extremely important day with traditional ritual events in Imperial Palace that the Agency would not be able to afford to have such a big event like enthronement. While Shinzo Abe administration is considering abdication to be done at the end of 2018 and starting new era at the beginning of 2019, a hard objection came up from the Emperor’s side.

Every early morning of January 1^st, the Emperor greets for Gods in four directions, and then, prays for stability and prosperity of the nation. After those ritual events, the Emperor holds a meeting to greet the leaders of Japan including Prime Minister. Emphasizing Emperor’s seriousness on those events, Nishimura told that setting events of enthronement would be “difficult.” He was also negative on handing throne over the Prince and renewal of the name of era on January 1^st.

Japanese media reported that the government of Japan was setting the schedule of enthronement at the beginning of 2019, interpreting the words of Akihito expressed last summer. Not indicating his opinion was Emperor’s will, Nishimura told that the negative stance on January 1^st enthronement was the view of IHA. “Because the media has been reporting as if the schedule was determined, I explained the opinion of IHA,” told Nishimura.

Abe administration was apparently frustrated with sudden dissent from the Agency. “The opinion was a general argument that the Emperor would be busy on January 1^st,” told Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga. He left the discussion over the enthronement schedule to the experts’ meeting set by the administration.

This is a serious lack of communication between Prime Minister’s Official Residence and IHA. IHA did not know about a plan of enthronement on January 1^st of 2019 before it was reported. While Akihito has revealed his hope to set a permanent system of abdication to his friend, Abe administration is going forward to special and temporary legislation only applied to Akihito.

Politics and imperial system have to be separated in Constitution of Japan. That is why their opinions must be naturally integrated without fundamental difference. If the intention of Abe administration overtook the hope of Emperor, politics can be taking advantage of imperial system.

Exiting Britain

Prime Minister of United Kingdom, Theresa May, announced on Tuesday that U.K. would not remain in European single market to regulate immigrants from European Union or protect independence of judicial rights. “We do not seek to hold on to bits of membership as we leave,” told May, dismissing an option of half-in and half-out. Her choice of hard Brexit may urge Japanese industries leaving U.K.

It was the first announcement of May for the details of leaving E.U. “I want this United Kingdom,” May appealed in London, “to emerge from this period of change stronger, fairer, more united and more outward-looking than ever before.” She raised three principles for Brexit negotiation: providing business sectors with certainty, building a stronger Britain with taking back control of British laws and building fairer Britain by controlling immigration from E.U.

To ensure those principles, May chose exiting from European single market that was based on free transportation of people, goods and services, dismissing a model applied to European Economic Area, which allowed participation of European single market with condition of accepting immigrants from E.U. area. U.K. looks like going to have an individual free trade deal with E.U.

Japanese industries are interested in how hard Brexit will affect their business in U.K. Financial corporations are worried about losing “single passport,” the license from any of one country in E.U. which enables banks or insurance companies have business everywhere in the area. Having no base in continental Europe, Mitsui-Sumitomo Financial Group considers building new bases in Amsterdam or Frankfurt, maintaining current offices in London.

Impact on manufacturers should be great. If E.U. poses tariff on the products from U.K. after Brexit, the competitiveness of those products will significantly be eroded. World Trade Organization estimated annual burden of U.K. in tariff to be £5.6 billion. While Nissan Motor still keeps its plan to produce new type of cars in U.K., economists in Japan suppose that manufacturers will have to shift its bases or review its business strategy.

Reflecting anxiety for the future of Europe, the value of Japanese yen was immediately raised to ¥112 for $1 on Tuesday. Nikkei Average sank, breaking the line of ¥19,000 for the first time in a month. Business sectors in Japan also have a concern of slowdown of European economy as a whole. They do not have a good prescription for hard Brexit.

Minor Change in SOFA

The governments of Japan and United States agreed on redefining “civilian personnel” of United States Force in Japan on Monday. Having reviewed a violent crime, raping and killing a woman in her jogging, last April, committed by an American worker, Kenneth Franklin Shinzato, for U.S. Force in Okinawa, they limited U.S. civilian personnel, who would be protected by Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, into eight categories. But, the people in Okinawa still require fundamental change of SOFA.

Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Fumio Kishida, and U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy, signed a document of supplemental agreement of SOFA, which strictly defined U.S. civilian personnel according to the categories made by Japan-U.S. Joint Committee. The committee defines eight kinds of civilian personnel: civilian employed with U.S. governmental budget, civilian employed with fund out of U.S. governmental revenue, civilian on the ship operated by U.S. Force, employee of organization that offers welfare service to U.S. Force, employee of U.S. government other than U.S. Force, employee of company having contract with U.S. Force, employee of bank for military, and someone specifically authorized by the Committee.

The agreement also reinforced the system for ruling ordinary residents in Japan out of category of civilian personnel. The committee is going to establish a working team for discussing eligibility of the personnel. U.S. government is having obligation to constantly review its civilian personnel.

Japanese government expects improvement in treatments of crimes by U.S. civilian personnel. “This agreement is making difference from traditional application of SOFA,” told Kishida to the reporters after signing the agreement. According to MOFA, there are 7,300 of U.S. civilian personnel in Japan, 2,300 of whom are the employees of corporations with contract for U.S. Force. But, the numbers of personnel being ruled out of SOFA was not announced.

Shizato would be categorized in “employee of company having contract with U.S. Force.” The agreement adds conditions for them, “indispensable for the mission” or “having high-leveled skill or knowledge.” Those conditions will be discussed in Japan-U.S. Joint Committee. But, some experts in Japan are still skeptical in Japan’s leadership for application of SOFA. “I am not sure that Japan can overturn the decision of U.S. on eligibility or indispensability,” said Masaaki Gabe, Professor of Ryukyu University.

People in Okinawa overwhelmingly require abolition of a provision of SOFA that allows U.S. Force priority in judicial procedure in cases of U.S. personnel. Without fundamental change of SOFA, such violent crime as made by Shinzato can be repeated again. Uneven status between Japan and U.S. can produce another victims.

Dream of Communists

Japan Communist Party opened 27^th national convention in Atami, Shizuoka, for the first time in these three years on Sunday. The biggest topic was that the party invited the leaders of other parties as guests for the first time after its establishment in 1922. While the new policy was regarded as serious pursuit of grand coalition of the opposite parties to defeat Shinzo Abe administration, those parties still embrace fundamental difference in policies, making their cooperation difficult.

In his report to Central Executive Committee, Chairman of JCP, Kazuo Shii, contemplated that the fundamental structure of politics in Japan, which had been the confrontation between Liberal Democratic Party and JCP, in the previous convention three years ago was changed into confrontation between LDP, Komeito and their supplemental power and joint struggle by the opposite parties and citizens. He proposed serious effort for building coalition of the opposite parties to defeat Abe administration and power for constitutional amendment, which occupied two-third majority in each House of the Diet.

Grand coalition was an answer for JCP’s basic policies such as disturbing Japan waging war, minimizing social gap between the rich and poor or stopping resumption of nuclear power plants. To attract other potential partners, Shii proposed an appeasing strategy of not introducing JCP’s original policies, such as eliminating Self-defense Force or discarding Japan-United States Security Treaty, into the coalition. He also criticized Communist Party of China as promoting unilateral change of status quo in their maritime advance. They were the measures for removing a big wall between JCP and Japanese public.

The way to grand coalition has not paved, anyway. President of Democratic Party, Renho, did not attend JCP convention. “While it is difficult to make perfect integration in terms of basic policies, we can get together within a certain range,” told Deputy President of DP, Jun Azumi, in the convention. The President of Liberal Party, Ichiro Ozawa, proposed to make the cooperation in last election of House of Councillors the first step and called for efforts for cooperation in elections to overturn current administration.

For next election of House of Representatives, JCP already decided to raise its candidates in 265 electoral districts, 197 of which were supposed to be the districts competing with DP candidates. One of the greatest organizations supporting DP, Japan Trade Union Confederation, refuses cooperation with JCP in elections. Grand coalition with JCP is still an unrealistic strategy for some members in DP.

Annoyed by Mixed Messages

United States started delivering mixed messages. While President-elect Donald Trump stressed his good relationship with Russia, incoming Secretaries of his Cabinet denied positive situation of U.S.-Russian relationship. Taking distance from America First policy, they insisted on importance of alliance. It is inevitable for Shinzo Abe administration to be confused by capricious leadership of its closest ally.

In the confirmation hearing at United States Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, the nominee for Secretary of Defense, General James Mattis, called Russia “principal threat” to U.S. security. “There’s a decreasing number of areas where we can engage cooperatively and an increasing number of areas where we’re going to have to confront Russia,” Mattis told in the testimony.

Trump has been selling himself as a figure being able to cope with Russia, calling his relationship with Vladimir Putin “asset.” Whether or not Mattis is really a “mad dog,” the nominee for next Secretary of Defense contradicted Trump’s basic attitude toward Russia. It should be a complication for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who is willing to made two visits to Russia in late April and early September this year. It is possible that Abe’s quick approach to Russia will not be supported by Trump administration.

One good news for Abe administration is supportive messages for U.S. allies. Not following Trump’s America First policy, Mattis insisted on the importance of supporting allies to reinforce U.S. security. He reconfirmed U.S. determination to protect security interest of U.S. and its allies in Asia-Pacific region, mostly following Asia-Pacific policy in Barack Obama administration.

Nominated Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, also made contradiction with Trump’s basic attitude in security issues. Tillerson promised unchanging commitment to North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which Trump had been criticizing as obsolete. Accusing the landfill in South China Sea, Tillerson labeled China as violating international law. He unequivocally announced that Japan-U.S. Security Treaty would be applied to Senakaku Islands, for which China claimed its ownership.

As long as hearing voices of nominees for Secretaries, U.S. policy toward Japan looks to be maintained. But, it is inconvenient truth that Trump was backed by public opinion requiring reduction of U.S. burden for its allies. If U.S. government pushes Japan early settlement of dispute over new Marine airbase in Okinawa, it will ignite further protest from local community. Close cooperation between Japan and U.S. is not so easy.

Friendship with Philippine

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a two-day visit to Philippine to have two meetings with President Rodrigo Duterte. In the second meeting in Davao, Abe drew a positive message from Duterte to United States, with which Duterte had been frustrated on its criticism for violation of human rights. Performing as a liaison between U.S. and Philippine, Abe insisted on his diplomatic achievement in Southeast Asia.

Duterte announced that the relationship between Philippine and U.S. was important and he would maintain that bilateral cooperation. Abe insisted on the importance of U.S. engagement to Asia-Pacific region and asked Duterte to have close relationship with Japan to maintain peace and prosperity of the region. Abe focuses on improving trilateral relationship of Japan, U.S. and Philippine, taking opportunity of transition of U.S. administration from Barack Obama to Donald Trump.

The biggest issue between Japan and Philippine is how to maintain peace and prosperity of South China Sea. Duterte proposed Abe to solve the problem in a peaceful manner based on international law, revealing his willingness to have direct dialogue with China. “I hope to appeal the principle of rule of law in the meeting of Association of Southeast Asian Nations and maintain free and open Indian Ocean,” told Abe with recognition of Philippine’s chairmanship in ASEAN this year.

Suffering from consecutive approach of Chinese vessels to Senkaku Islands in East China Sea or active moves of Chinese aircraft carrier in East and South China Sea, Abe needed to reinforce bilateral relationship with Southeast Asian nations. Philippine must have been one of the closest friends with common interest against China before Duterte took the seat. Diplomatic strategy of Japan has to be keeping Southeast Asian nations close to American side, to which Japan affiliates.

Accordingly, Abe announced financial support to Philippine in the first meeting held in Manila on Thursday. He pledged ¥1 trillion of official development assistance and private investment for next five years. To support Duterte’s agenda for fighting drug crimes, Abe promised another support for building related facilities and raising human resource to take care of drug users.

As did in the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Abe performed to be building close private relationship with Duterte. Abe accepted Duterte’s invitation to his private house and had breakfast and lunch there. Government of Philippine praised Abe of his role of bridging Philippine and U.S. However, no one knows whether Philippine keeps on looking to Japan, ignoring consecutive attraction from China.