Time Frame Settled for Resolution of Pending Problems at the Japan-U.S. Leadership Conference

Prime Minister Naoto Kan participated in a Japan-U.S. leadership conference with the American president. Keeping in mind China’s overwhelming diplomatic strength as well as Russia’s, both Japan and the U.S. agreed to strengthen their alliance relationship and cooperate in opposition to this alliance.

Above all, I want to give high marks to both heads of state in agreeing that China, “as a member of the international community, … [China should] speak and behave appropriately in accordance with international rules.” President Obama then promised again that “the commitment of the United States to the defense of Japan is unshakable.”

However, in regard to Japan and America joining forces to restrain China’s unreasonable actions, this is naturally premised on the fact that the U.S. must carry out its alliance obligations to Japan first. I wish strongly for Prime Minister Kan to discuss the Futenma airfield relocation problem and the burden of stationing expenses for U.S. forces in Japan (in terms of financial support for welfare benefits and allowances of U.S. forces stationed in Japan) and “homework” such as that.

At the beginning of the conference, Mr. Kan thanked the U.S. for its support during the Senkaku Islands problem and the Northern Territories problem, which almost led to Japan caving in from a Russian pincer attack, acknowledging that “the United States has supported Japan throughout.”

“For the peace and security of the countries in the region, the presence of the United States and the presence of the U.S. military I believe is only becoming increasingly important,” Prime Minister Kan added. As a matter of fact, doesn’t this American support reflect the current administration’s problems?

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the reform of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan, and the result of a Democratic administration has led to the straying from issues such as the Futenma problem repeatedly. This has made the alliance increasingly meaningless and it can also be said that this gave Russia the opportunity to take advantage of Japan.

In the conversation, in addition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership problem, issues such as Japan’s plan to expand aid in Afghanistan and the export of rare earth elements were also discussed.

However, after all is said and done, the important thing is that the joint effort to structurally strengthen the Japanese-American Security treaty is now postponed until the prime minister visits the U.S. Significantly, this marks a clear time period before next spring during which Futenma and the burden of the stationing expenses must be concluded. The Kan administration cannot step back from this weighty public commitment.

The Futenma airfield is the symbol of the presence of American forces (Marine Corps). It is essential that in Japan’s and America’s opposition to China, who is advancing its expansion of maritime interests by brute force, as well as against Russia’s diplomatic aggression, this issue must not be neglected. For the sake of the alliance’s capacity for deterrence and effective security, Prime Minister Kan must recognize the importance of this issue.

At the end of the month, the Okinawa prefectural election for governor will take place, and will hold the key to the Futenma problem. Prime Minister Kan has promised “maximum effort” to President Obama, but effort itself is insufficient. As the first step to strengthening the alliance, I want the implementation of the relocation dealt with by means of determined decision.