Japan seeks stronger US alliance amid sour ties with neighbors
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-12-16 15:24

CLOSER TIES WITH THE UNITED STATES

In February, Japanese and US foreign affairs and defense chiefs held a security meeting in Washington to address issues including tighter alliance.

The two countries worked out an interim report in October on the realignment of US troops in Japan. The document will facilitate smoother and more efficient military cooperation.

The realignment plan is faced with vehement protest from the local governments and civil groups in regions concerned. More than 100 local lawmakers issued a statement earlier December, demanding repeal of the plan.

However, at his 12th summit meeting with Bush in November, Koizumi promised that Japan will make "maximum efforts" to help realize the realignment.

Japan has also on December 12 announced a partially end to a two- year-old ban on US beef imports despite the concern about the attendant inflow of mad cow disease remain strong at home.

As some US allies have moved or are withdrawing troops out of Iraq, the Japanese government decided on December 8 to extend the humanitarian assistance mission by the Ground Self-Defense Force for one year to continue its support to the US.

Furthermore, Japan is joining the US to press the United Nations for a reform and calling for a reduction of its financial contribution, following an abortive attempt to secure a permanent membership in the UN Security Council along with Brazil, Germany and India.

FOREIGN POLICY QUESTIONED AT HOME

The Koizumi government's way of handling the country's relations with its close neighbors and the excessive enthusiasm for the Japan-US alliance have given rise to doubt and criticism at home.

"The simplistic thinking that all is well so long as Japan maintains good relations with the United States is tantamount to not thinking at all," said the leading Asahi Shimbun daily in an editorial.

The strong emphasis placed on the bilateral ties could send a signal that Japan might intend to hinder its relations with other countries, particularly its Asian neighbors, Kyodo News said.

Seiji Maehara, leader of the largest opposition Democratic Party of Japan, criticized the biased foreign policy, saying it showed that Japan can not handle its relations with Asian neighbors independently.

Analysts here noted that the Japan-US alliance cannot determine every aspect of Japan's foreign policy. If Koizumi does not reverse his attitude toward the history issue, the relations between Japan and its neighbors will by no means develop healthily no matter how strong the Japan-US relations would be.