At America’s Request: Let’s Unify Japan, Korea and the US

As the Obama administration previously announced, it has shifted its political focus from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. However, there’s a challenge facing this “Asia-centered” shift; that is our failure to predict how heavily the enmity between our allies would weigh on us.

There is ongoing bitterness and antagonism between the governments of Japan and Korea, which is driving the U.S. government between a rock and a hard place.

This month, Secretary of State John Kerry was visited in the U.S. by Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. Following that conference, Secretary Kerry visited Korea, where he informed them of President Obama’s plans to visit Japan and Korea in April.

The president is currently preparing to play the role of mediator. However, before he’s able to proceed, it will be vital to repair the relationships between the parties involved. Secretary Kerry has been chosen to fulfill that role.

One might say that receiving mediation from the U.S. is a little bizarre. Do the Japanese and Korean governments really intend to ask the U.S. for help even with our own regional relationships? We should be attempting to solve our problems ourselves, working together to let go of anger and seek compromise.

All around us, tensions are like hotly burning coals growing in intensity. How are we going to address China’s military expansion and its increasing power and influence? How will we urge North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons?

Even with such pressing matters before us, Japan and Korea refuse to come together, adding to the U.S. government’s frustration.

With regard to President Obama’s visit to the region, Japan and Korea acted like rivals in love. As a state guest, Japan hoped Obama would stay longer, while Korea was fine with even a quick visit. It was like two quarreling brothers playing tug-of-war, but the U.S. government responded with relatively fair treatment.

The current situation in North Korea, where the country’s young leader has executed his own officials, is uncertain. At such a time, it makes sense for President Obama to visit Korea. Japan should not be making a fuss over rules of etiquette like how to receive a state guest. Rather than worrying about whether or not the U.S. is neglecting the Abe administration, everyone should be focusing their energy on creating a detailed strategy for regional diplomacy.

Having approved the right to exercise collective defense, we should be hearing celebratory cries about strengthening our alliance with the U.S. Instead, due to the prime minister’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine, this alliance has been shaken; the U.S. has been left wondering about Abe’s true intentions.

On the other hand, the Korean government is also stubbornly maintaining its position. At a press conference with Secretary Kerry, Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se expressed an opinion to the effect that responsibility for improving the current situation rested solely with Japan. Making a one-sided comment pointing out the other party’s faults hardly demonstrates wisdom.

The security guarantee between Japan and Korea is stitched together under the umbrella of the U.S., but Japan and Korea must each make an effort in order to preserve the strength of that framework.

An alliance between Japan, Korea and the U.S. does not only concern these three countries. Such an alliance is indispensable to the stability of the entire East Asia region. The Japanese and Korean governments must, together, remember the weight of their responsibilities.