Response to a Heartfelt Plea for International Cooperation

Heiko Maas, Germany’s newest foreign minister, has called for strengthened cooperation between his nation and Japan. Such a fervent appeal from Germany is unprecedented. I would like to see our nations continue to support such multilateral international cooperation, especially after the way it has wavered in the face of President Donald Trump’s “America First” philosophy.

Maas gave a speech at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo, in which he criticized Trump as someone “who also calls alliances that have developed over decades into question in 280-character tweets.” Those short 280-character sentences point to America’s new protectionist and self-serving policy.

Japan and Germany are relatively small nations to seize such an initiative, but that does not mean we should be content with taking a passive stance and having rules imposed on us. If we each combine our nations’ strong points, our alliance could become a driving force for creating international stability. Maas emphasized the common values that form the foundation of Japan and Germany’s relationship: freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement is the concrete form of Japan’s and Europe’s efforts to strengthen their alliance. In opposition to Trump’s protectionism, the trade deal creates the world’s largest free trade zone, and lowers tariffs on imported European goods.

Japan and (West) Germany were both defeated in World War II, but are now enjoying economic prosperity as liberal nations. It has even been said that the only problem between the two nations is that there are no problems. Maas’ proposal is that Japan and Germany move toward, and continue to further, this peaceful relationship.

In the background lies the strong threat to America that President Trump perceives. Trump demanded that North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations pay more in defense fees, even going so far as to treat Europe like an enemy – and he did not stop there. Trump also withdrew from the Paris climate agreement, which seeks to combat climate change; he moved the Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, against the wishes of many Palestinians. His decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement also casts a dark shadow over Japan’s crude oil deal. America is now destroying the international stability that it once played a crucial role in building.

Russia’s annexation of the Crimea in open defiance of the international order, and China’s attempts to manipulate the power balance for their benefit, are more reasons why Maas is advocating for Japanese-German unity. Next year, both countries will be in a position to exhibit leadership. Japan will host the summit of leading rich and developing nations, and Germany will join the U.N. Security Council as a nonpermanent member. Hopefully, we can stimulate worldwide public opinion toward international cooperation.