Having Different Dreams

The government of Japan recognizes that US took one step toward Japan side on the issue over Senkaku Islands. In the meeting with US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fumio Kishida, confirmed American standpoint that support Japan’s administration on the islands. Both nations agreed with their cooperation in Asia-Pacific region. But they may be seeing two dreams on one bed.

“[W]e acknowledge they (Senkaku Islands) are under the administration of Japan and we oppose any unilateral actions that would seek to undermine Japanese administration,” told Clinton after the meeting with Kishida. Kishida told that he regard the comment as highly valuable. Newspapers in Japan reported Clinton’s comment to be the first mentioning of US government on other countries’ action over Senkaku Islands.

On the background of Clinton’s comment, there is a positive action of Japan to introduce US in Asia-Pacific region. PM Abe prepared a policy speech at a reception in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Friday, in which he would have emphasize the importance of Japan-US alliance for peace and security in Asia-Pacific. Although the speech was canceled for Abe’s sudden return back to Tokyo to conduct Algerian hostage crisis, it is obvious that Abe, in his tour to Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, had persuaded the leaders of Southeast Asian nations to welcome US commitment to this region. Clinton possibly appreciated to Japan’s effort in her comment.

Both Japan and United States, however, don’t have clear vision to achieve their goal through the alliance. Japan wants to get firm support on Senkaku issue. But US set two conditions on it. One is that the matter of sovereignty needs to be solved by both country, and US will take neither side between Japan and China. Another is that the dispute should be solved by peaceful measures. After former Noda government bought the islands, Japan could not find any clue for dialogue with Chinese government. Continuous territorial violations around Senkaku Islands by Chinese ships annoy the government of Japan. US exercised no actual help for Japan so far.

US wants Japan’s support for strengthening its tie to Asia. China’s disruptive attitude against US is hazardous for US “rebalancing” strategy in the world. Although Japan generally welcomes US coming into Asia in governmental level, the government will be fettered by internal backlash. Abe administration decided not to get a conclusion on joining the negotiation over Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) before the election of the House of Councillors this summer. If it decides it, LDP will fall into a confusion between pros and cons. Okinawa is another problem. Abe seeks to submit environmental assessment in Henoko area, where Futenma Air Base would be relocated, next month before the summit talk with Obama. But broad protest of the people in Okinawa is expected.

Clinton and Kishida agreed with having summit talk by both leaders in the third week of February. But it is still not clear that both Abe and Obama can get positive outcome there.