Editorial
Hatoyama should express clear and frank views on diplomacy
If a country unilaterally scraps an agreement it has with another country, the international community would lose confidence in that nation. The continuation of diplomatic and security policies is thus very important.
However, if the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) becomes too cautious about hammering out innovative policies because it attaches too much importance to the continuation of policies, it would lessen the significance of the historic transfer of government power. Since the U.S.-led unipolar world structure collapsed, world peace and security cannot be pursued without multilateral cooperation and alliances. The transfer of government power in Japan offers a good opportunity to broaden the scope of choices for Japan's diplomatic policy.
It is hoped that DPJ leader Yukio Hatoyama, who is set to take over the reins of government, will map out a large-scale diplomatic strategy that is not bound by the existing framework and will send a clear message to the world, while keeping in mind the reality of international politics.
Hatoyama's diplomatic power will be tested immediately after forming a coalition Cabinet with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the People's New Party (PNP). He will hold his first summit with President Barack Obama when visiting the United States in late September to deliver a speech at a U.N. General Assembly session in New York and attend the G20 summit in Pittsburgh. It will be an important meeting as Hatoyama pursues a close and equal Japan-U.S. partnership.
On the agenda during talks with the United States will be a review of U.S. bases in Japan, revisions to the Japan-U.S. Status-of-Forces Agreement and efforts to contribute to the war against terror that would replace the Maritime Self-Defense Force's mission in the Indian Ocean to refuel U.S. and other military vessels. Hatoyama will also try to get to the bottom of a secret agreement in the 1960s to allow U.S. vessels carrying nuclear arms to call at Japanese ports. However, Washington is likely to refuse to reopen negotiations on the agreed-upon realignment of U.S. forces in Japan.
Hatoyama's summit meeting with Obama, which is expected to take place in New York, will likely determine whether he can lay the groundwork for nurturing mutual trust that will allow them to cooperate in tackling these issues prior to a Japan visit by Obama in November.
At such a crucial moment, Hatoyama's article on international relations, carried in the online edition of The New York Times and by other media, has cast a shadow over Japan-U.S. relations. In the article, Hatoyama raised questions about U.S.-led market fundamentalism and the dollar's role as the world's key currency, and states that he will pursue the creation of an East Asian community, stirring controversy in the United States.
Hatoyama defended the piece, saying, "I never expressed any anti-U.S. opinions. You will probably understand it if you read the whole article."
However, he should choose his words more carefully when expressing opinions to prevent misunderstanding if he means that he will pursue the creation of a peaceful East Asian community based on Japan-U.S. relations.
The new administration will be required to deal with North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, the abduction by North Korea of Japanese nationals, the dispute with Russia over the Northern Territories and the strengthening of top-level dialogue with Chinese and South Korean leaders, among other diplomatic issues unsolved by the coalition government comprised of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito. The DPJ should utilize the strong support it won from the public in the general election in promoting its diplomatic policy.
(Mainichi Japan) September 2, 2009