Comments on Observing Japan: Waking up to a new alliance

Thank you for sharing this. Governments change and...

2009-11-12T18:28:53.793+09:00

Thank you for sharing this. Governments change and therefore shifts in policies and alliances are inevitable. Japan's new government is definitely something the U.S. will need to learn to work with. Have you thought about writing for Asia Chronicle? The site provides in-depth analyses on issues facing Asian nations. Worth a read I think. www.asiachroniclenews.com

At the rate Japan goes through Prime Ministers, it...

2009-11-09T15:52:30.899+09:00

At the rate Japan goes through Prime Ministers, its hard to get attached to any one.

I miss Koyazumi and his love of Elvis. Now that was a PM everyone could get behind.

The most problematic aspect of the alliance from d...

2009-11-08T17:21:38.806+09:00

The most problematic aspect of the alliance from domestic politics is in the localities of the military presence. Aircraft noise is real as are the occasions of misbehavior by servicemen. These are not abstract problems nor are they all that difficult to come to terms in practical ways. What mystifies me is why, given lack of good choices, the move of aircraft noise away from the local population, having been somewhat accepted now under further review. The immediate alternatives stink and big picture solutions has nothing to do with moving one helicopter base from one place to another. S

Back in the saddle, eh, Tobias? Two days ago, who...

2009-11-06T09:30:38.952+09:00

Back in the saddle, eh, Tobias?

Two days ago, who was present at the Japan Series to throw the first pitch before Game 4? You got: GWB, seconded by his hairy friend Jun-what's-his-name. A calculated moment by the Yomiuri Co (yes, the Giants are in it again) for us to remember, misty-eyed, those Golden Days of Catch-Ball at Camp David? Who can tell, after all...

You're right in your dismay with the Obama Administration's response to the election. But excusing that for a moment, Green and the others of the Fourth Estate still don't have any inside sources with the Minshuto. This is perhaps irritating to them, but it also works to the detriment to the Minshuto, which needs to work on its media profile. After all, substance only goes so far, and at some point you have to put a little spin on it. Are there ANY members of the Commetariat out there with an inside track (present company excluded, of course)? If so, the DPJ needs to cultivate them and work with them to get their message out.

"As the DPJ is illustrating, it is entirely possib...

2009-11-05T06:07:41.277+09:00

"As the DPJ is illustrating, it is entirely possible to support the maintenance of the alliance while demanding changes in how it operates."

Precisely what I've been thinking for quite some time, especially when some people around town and in Tokyo throw out the statistics on Japanese AMPO love.

At the height of the "Golden era", by the way, there were some people warning about the structural deficits of the U.S.-Japan relationship, depite all the PR.

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6805664&postID=7930838883832586176

I disagree with you about the utility of Clinton's visit to Ozawa. She came without an agenda, which seemed to indicate to Ozawa that she was merely there to shake hands, not to talk things through with the DPJ. As you will recall, Ozawa didn't even want to meet her at first.

"If the purpose of the alliance is to "defend japan", how can that in any way be construed as an equal alliance?"

TheTaste: US grand strategy for the last helf century has relied on keeping the enemy "out there", i.e. extended deterrence. Sure, the US and Japan have common interests in keeping US forces in the theatre, but lets not pretend they are on some altruistic mission to only "defend Japan".

If the purpose of the alliance is to "defend japan...

2009-11-04T23:58:20.814+09:00

If the purpose of the alliance is to "defend japan", how can that in any way be construed as an equal alliance? A normal alliance is based on mutual protection. This alliance is not. We "protect" japan so that it doesn't fall into the hands of our enemies. If japan wants an equal alliance than it needs to elevate the alliance to mutual protection. A democratically elected government of japan made the agreement to realign us forces. If the DPJ wants to welch they have that right but they must accept the consequences. Goverments change all the time in the US but that doesn't mean all deals are off. Ultimately japan is better of with the us in the context of defending japan rather than in the context of denying japan to her enemies.

Great post, couldn't agree more. Forbes also had ...

2009-11-04T23:28:47.719+09:00

Great post, couldn't agree more.

Forbes also had a piece called "Humiliating Japan" by Gordon Chang on how Obama's "defense secretary embarrassed the prime minister, insulted Defense Ministry officials and inflamed public opinion."