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.