Sober Cooperation

According to the reports, it was unusual for both leaders of Japan and the United States to have direct conversation within such a short period as three days. In the meeting in St. Petersburg, nevertheless, U.S. President, Barack Obama, asked Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, firm support on U.S. military intervention. Abe did not make his support clear, while he reconfirmed close cooperation with U.S. It seemed that Obama was paying for his indifference on building credible relationship with foreign leaders.

“Use of chemical weapons was tragedy and against international law. We share a recognition that we need to deal with it,” told Obama in the meeting for an hour. Abe replied with pleasure, saying “I realized the significance of your decision. Use of chemical weapons would not be tolerated. It is obvious that Assad regime is responsible for it. I would pay respect to the United States to take responsibility on stopping inhumane behavior.”

It was beneficial for Abe to show cooperative aspect of Japan-U.S. relationship to his domestic audience. He expressed his positive intention on reinterpretation of the Constitution of Japan to exercise collective self-defense right, establishment of the Japanese version of national security council, and legislation of protecting intelligence. He also reconfirmed close cooperation in having conclusion on Trans-Pacific Partnership, on which sharp disputes are still remaining in Japan.

The meeting was more necessary for President than for Prime Minister. Obama needed as many supports on attacking Syria as possible. Against his speech in Stockholm, Sweden, a day before, which indicated that “red line” for Syria had been set by the world, European nations began to criticize Obama of his attribution of his decision to international community. Having lost a firm support from United Kingdom, Japan’s support should be one of the most important tools to persuade people in and outside of U.S.

Obama has, however, not established close personal relationship with Abe. In the meeting in Washington last February, Obama accepted Abe at White House in businesslike manner. It was apparent that President had been skeptical about how long Abe administration would last, in light of frequent replacement of Japanese Prime Minister these years. If Obama had treated Abe with great pleasure and hospitality, as George W. Bush would have done, Abe might have unequivocally supported U.S. military option on Syria.

Having said this, Japan, as an ally, still has no option except supporting U.S. attack. What Abe can only do is praying for avoiding severe decision.