The Road Doesn't Open up to Passivity in TPP Diplomacy

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Hawaii, Prime Minister Noda declared his objective in participating in the discussions for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Having disclosed this, the prime minister must quickly engage in explaining his position in greater detail to the domestic opposition and exercise prudence. At the same time, the prime minister will seek strong resolutions in diplomatic matters.

To Japan, TPP negotiations under the general rule of zero duties, allowing free movement of people, goods and money, will undoubtedly be difficult. For this reason, as the third largest economy in the world and a major player in the trans-Pacific region, there is a need to explain those resolutions and declare how he intends to take part in the planning of new trade and economic rules.

In his meeting with U.S. President Obama, the Americans said that the prime minister “put all goods and services on the negotiating table.” Although the Japanese government denies this, the sober reality of negotiations is that there really are “no exceptions.”

From now on, through the course of the negotiations, there will probably be various misunderstandings or other conflicts. When they occur, everyone will attempt to create an environment that benefits their own country.

According to the U.S. government, participation in the negotiations with Canada and Mexico, which together with the U.S. make up the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), is how they conveyed their thoughts. It is through these situations that Japan was also able to influence these countries.

In the TPP, China, which is now the second largest economy in the world, will aim at opposing the rule of American leadership.

It is understandable to reorganize the starting point of Japanese diplomacy and strengthen the relationship with America, the standard yardstick of Japanese diplomacy. In other words, within the TPP, they can play the “anti-China card.”

However, in this world of deepened economic interdependence, an economic system without China is unfathomable. Japan needs to quickly build stronger relationships with China and other Asian countries without devoting completely to the U.S.

At APEC, the prime minister said that he “wants to fulfill the leadership role in free trade in Asia-Pacific.” If that’s the case, he should recommend the free trade agreement with China and South Korea through the ASEAN+3. That will become the “anti-American card.”

The role that Japan should fulfill now is as a stopgap between the TPP economic block and China.

It is a difficult role of finding benefits to both the U.S. and China, but Japan must renew its passive diplomatic role without saying anything to either the U.S. or China.