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US alliance growing burdensome for Japan

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US alliance growing burdensome for Japan
By Jiao Kun Source: Global Times Published: 2017/2/12
6c341263-7b80-4738-8ad4-76a2d60af494.jpeg


Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

For Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, having a golf game with a sitting US president must have been one of his dreams. Sixty years ago, Kishi Nobusuke, the then Japanese prime minister and Abe's grandfather, played golf with then US president Dwight Eisenhower during his visit to Washington DC. The game is said to have helped foster a personal bond between the two leaders and eventually molded the framework of a renewed US-Japan alliance - a well-known episode in the political world of Japan that has set an example for later politicians.

Thus, for Abe, who is eager to maintain and strengthen the alliance which has an uncertain future with the election of Donald Trump, the golf game with the latter held Saturday seems to be a dream come true. Together with the official meeting that seems to have gone rather smoothly on the day before, Abe is now perhaps ready to celebrate the success of his visit.

However, while Abe takes the credit, his men may have to take pains negotiating with their US counterparts. The Abe-Trump meeting was merely symbolic, leaving the more concrete affairs to be discussed and determined by other government officials, such as Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso of Japan and Vice President Mike Pence of the US.

The US side obviously got the upper hand at the summit. Trump affirmed the US commitment to defending Japan, a repeat of what the US government has been saying for decades. He succeeded in striking a deal with Abe to launch talks on economic issues. Historically, the bilateral economic negotiations between the US and Japan were settled with terms that are disadvantageous for the latter. Take the Japan-US textile negotiations in the 1970s, the friction over auto trade between the two countries in the 1980s, and so on - all resulting in Japan giving up some or quite a bit of its interests.

It is hard to predict how the forthcoming rounds of negotiations would end differently for Japan. If the result is different, it could only be that Japan is making more concessions and sacrifices this time. Until now, Trump has made a series of criticism against Japan over trade and currency; his protectionist "America First" doctrine goes contrary to a reciprocal relationship with other economies, especially with a major exporter like Japan.

Also putting Japan at a serious disadvantage is Abe's determination to woo Trump at almost all costs. It is obvious that Abe went to the US with a plan of economic cooperation. Signs show that with this plan, the Abe administration is trying to mobilize all the resources available, public or private, to help beef up the US economy.

Such a stance has already created anxiety or even anger within Japan. According to a recent report by the Financial Times, the Abe administration has been pushing Japanese companies to invest in the US. Abe also personally met with the chief executive of Toyota, who had been criticized by Trump for not investing in America and declared to invest $10 billion in the US after the meeting. The economic communities are worried that rather than trying to explain to the US about Japan's contribution to the US economy, Abe may make pledges to the Trump administration and drive the private companies into meeting the goals set by him.

Regarding the public resources, some Japanese media reported that Abe was considering investing a portion of Japan's government pension fund into US infrastructure. Such an allegation aroused widespread opposition and questioning among the public and in Japan's congress, though Abe denied these reports.

But other forms of public resources could also be used, including "loans from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation or purchases of infrastructure bonds via Japan's foreign exchange reserves," according to the Financial Times report. For a government with extremely heavy financial burden, such bold investments could have severe consequences if things go awry.

No matter private or public resources, no one can be sure that they would be paid back, when the investment decisions are made more out of political needs than pure economic necessity. Moreover, there is also no guarantee that new trade frictions will not rise in the future even if Japan accepts all the US demands at the present time. For Japan, the cost of maintaining the alliance with the US is getting higher and higher.

The obsession that Japans shows with a rather unequal relationship with the US is perplexing. In fact, it has other options, such as strengthening its economic ties with China, which has surpassed the US to become Japan's biggest trade partner. A free-trade framework like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership can also serve as a substitute for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Instead of pandering to Trump's protectionism, Japan should ponder on pivoting to a totally different economic strategy.

The author is a lecturer at the School of History, Wuhan University.

@ahojunk , @AndrewJin , @DayWalker90 , @oprih , @long_ , @Chinese-Dragon , @Shotgunner51

Interesting that Japan would go such length, sacrificing its national economic interests to boost US economy. Who said there is no free lunch in this world?
 
US alliance growing burdensome for Japan
By Jiao Kun Source: Global Times Published: 2017/2/12
6c341263-7b80-4738-8ad4-76a2d60af494.jpeg


Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

For Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, having a golf game with a sitting US president must have been one of his dreams. Sixty years ago, Kishi Nobusuke, the then Japanese prime minister and Abe's grandfather, played golf with then US president Dwight Eisenhower during his visit to Washington DC. The game is said to have helped foster a personal bond between the two leaders and eventually molded the framework of a renewed US-Japan alliance - a well-known episode in the political world of Japan that has set an example for later politicians.

Thus, for Abe, who is eager to maintain and strengthen the alliance which has an uncertain future with the election of Donald Trump, the golf game with the latter held Saturday seems to be a dream come true. Together with the official meeting that seems to have gone rather smoothly on the day before, Abe is now perhaps ready to celebrate the success of his visit.

However, while Abe takes the credit, his men may have to take pains negotiating with their US counterparts. The Abe-Trump meeting was merely symbolic, leaving the more concrete affairs to be discussed and determined by other government officials, such as Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso of Japan and Vice President Mike Pence of the US.

The US side obviously got the upper hand at the summit. Trump affirmed the US commitment to defending Japan, a repeat of what the US government has been saying for decades. He succeeded in striking a deal with Abe to launch talks on economic issues. Historically, the bilateral economic negotiations between the US and Japan were settled with terms that are disadvantageous for the latter. Take the Japan-US textile negotiations in the 1970s, the friction over auto trade between the two countries in the 1980s, and so on - all resulting in Japan giving up some or quite a bit of its interests.

It is hard to predict how the forthcoming rounds of negotiations would end differently for Japan. If the result is different, it could only be that Japan is making more concessions and sacrifices this time. Until now, Trump has made a series of criticism against Japan over trade and currency; his protectionist "America First" doctrine goes contrary to a reciprocal relationship with other economies, especially with a major exporter like Japan.

Also putting Japan at a serious disadvantage is Abe's determination to woo Trump at almost all costs. It is obvious that Abe went to the US with a plan of economic cooperation. Signs show that with this plan, the Abe administration is trying to mobilize all the resources available, public or private, to help beef up the US economy.

Such a stance has already created anxiety or even anger within Japan. According to a recent report by the Financial Times, the Abe administration has been pushing Japanese companies to invest in the US. Abe also personally met with the chief executive of Toyota, who had been criticized by Trump for not investing in America and declared to invest $10 billion in the US after the meeting. The economic communities are worried that rather than trying to explain to the US about Japan's contribution to the US economy, Abe may make pledges to the Trump administration and drive the private companies into meeting the goals set by him.

Regarding the public resources, some Japanese media reported that Abe was considering investing a portion of Japan's government pension fund into US infrastructure. Such an allegation aroused widespread opposition and questioning among the public and in Japan's congress, though Abe denied these reports.

But other forms of public resources could also be used, including "loans from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation or purchases of infrastructure bonds via Japan's foreign exchange reserves," according to the Financial Times report. For a government with extremely heavy financial burden, such bold investments could have severe consequences if things go awry.

No matter private or public resources, no one can be sure that they would be paid back, when the investment decisions are made more out of political needs than pure economic necessity. Moreover, there is also no guarantee that new trade frictions will not rise in the future even if Japan accepts all the US demands at the present time. For Japan, the cost of maintaining the alliance with the US is getting higher and higher.

The obsession that Japans shows with a rather unequal relationship with the US is perplexing. In fact, it has other options, such as strengthening its economic ties with China, which has surpassed the US to become Japan's biggest trade partner. A free-trade framework like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership can also serve as a substitute for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Instead of pandering to Trump's protectionism, Japan should ponder on pivoting to a totally different economic strategy.

The author is a lecturer at the School of History, Wuhan University.

@ahojunk , @AndrewJin , @DayWalker90 , @oprih , @long_ , @Chinese-Dragon , @Shotgunner51

Interesting that Japan would go such length, sacrificing its national economic interests to boost US economy. Who said there is no free lunch in this world?


This is rather funny!

China, Japan's main competitor, is advising how to run it's affairs.
This gives me the same feeling when I see Indians cat-calling Pakistan when Pakistan goes for an embrace with China.

Why don't you let the people of Japan decide what is in their best interests??

They consider the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands as Japanese territory. They consider China as a possible threat to their lower island chains. They consider China as a possible hegemon in the region.

Also, in general, among two major countries, the larger country, with the bigger market, always has the upper hand during negotiations in trade.

Yup,. Trump and Abe. A hegemon and a vassal state. :enjoy:

If one were to extend your definition, then Pakistan seems to be a vassal state of China. Do you agree?

Why can't you just accept that Japan has its own interests in mind, and it pursues its policies accordingly.
 
This is rather funny!

China, Japan's main competitor, is advising how to run it's affairs.
This gives me the same feeling when I see Indians cat-calling Pakistan when Pakistan goes for an embrace with China.

Why don't you let the people of Japan decide what is in their best interests??

They consider the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands as Japanese territory. They consider China as a possible threat to their lower island chains. They consider China as a possible hegemon in the region.

Also, in general, among two major countries, the larger country, with the bigger market, always has the upper hand during negotiations in trade.



If one were to extend your definition, then Pakistan seems to be a vassal state of China. Do you agree?

Why can't you just accept that Japan has its own interests in mind, and it pursues its policies accordingly.

Main competitor? That is what I call selective posting. You are assuming China never import a single stuff from Japan and no Chinese tourist ever goes to Japan annually and no Chinese spends a single cent while in Japan?

Maybe you can check out the trade data between China and Japan in 2014-2016 before you sprout rubbish again.
 
Since I am in the mood to type. Let me respond here:

The US side obviously got the upper hand at the summit. Trump affirmed the US commitment to defending Japan, a repeat of what the US government has been saying for decades. He succeeded in striking a deal with Abe to launch talks on economic issues.

How did the US side get the "upper hand"? Any evidence?

Historically, the bilateral economic negotiations between the US and Japan were settled with terms that are disadvantageous for the latter. Take the Japan-US textile negotiations in the 1970s, the friction over auto trade between the two countries in the 1980s, and so on - all resulting in Japan giving up some or quite a bit of its interests.

Umm... as I said, when one is heavily reliant on a market, one has to listen to that market. Japan's far greater interests were to keep its access to the lucrative American market, so like any government, it negotiated to maximize its interests.

According to a recent report by the Financial Times, the Abe administration has been pushing Japanese companies to invest in the US. Abe also personally met with the chief executive of Toyota, who had been criticized by Trump for not investing in America and declared to invest $10 billion in the US after the meeting. The economic communities are worried that rather than trying to explain to the US about Japan's contribution to the US economy, Abe may make pledges to the Trump administration and drive the private companies into meeting the goals set by him.

Wow! This is just epic! China is perhaps the country most guilty of politics coming into economic considerations.

some Japanese media reported that Abe was considering investing a portion of Japan's government pension fund into US infrastructure.

Firstly, the framing of this sentence is totally incorrect. In Japan, the pension fund is an autonomous body, which unlike things in other countries, is really autonomous. Obviously, Abe met with the Pension fund chief to talk about investing in US infrastructure, but the chief has enough power to basically refuse point blank if he wanted to, on Abe's face.

No one in China's SOE sector would have any near such strength if Xi said anything similar.

Also, China has routinely used public funds, for geo-political games, and has routinely also burnt through funds. For instance, China has lent a HUGE amount of money to Venezuela, only to see the country basically go bonkers, and all chance of retrieving returns now vanished.

The obsession that Japans shows with a rather unequal relationship with the US is perplexing.

Perhaps you are not trying to think clearly is the reason it is perplexing?
Same thing is said by some Indian members, "The obsession that Pakistan shows with a rather unequal relationship with the China is perplexing."
As with Indian members who mock Pakistan regarding this, the Chinese members are basically grossly misinformed, and can't think out of their own shell, keeping in mind the perspective of other countries.

When one is small, one can't have an equal relationship.

Main competitor? That is what I call selective posting. You are assuming China never import a single stuff from Japan and no Chinese tourist ever goes to Japan annually and no Chinese spends a single cent while in Japan?

Maybe you can check out the trade data between China and Japan in 2014-2016 before you sprout rubbish again.

Where did all this trade data come in?

US-China also have a huge trade, but does this mean that US doesn't consider China as its main competitor?
Who does China consider its main competitor?

Trade is important up to a point, but only up to a point. Geo-political rivalry however doesn't usually find remedy in trade.
 
Since I am in the mood to type. Let me respond here:



How did the US side get the "upper hand"? Any evidence?



Umm... as I said, when one is heavily reliant on a market, one has to listen to that market. Japan's far greater interests were to keep its access to the lucrative American market, so like any government, it negotiated to maximize its interests.



Wow! This is just epic! China is perhaps the country most guilty of politics coming into economic considerations.



Firstly, the framing of this sentence is totally incorrect. In Japan, the pension fund is an autonomous body, which unlike things in other countries, is really autonomous. Obviously, Abe met with the Pension fund chief to talk about investing in US infrastructure, but the chief has enough power to basically refuse point blank if he wanted to, on Abe's face.

No one in China's SOE sector would have any near such strength if Xi said anything similar.

Also, China has routinely used public funds, for geo-political games, and has routinely also burnt through funds. For instance, China has lent a HUGE amount of money to Venezuela, only to see the country basically go bonkers, and all chance of retrieving returns now vanished.



Perhaps you are not trying to think clearly is the reason it is perplexing?
Same thing is said by some Indian members, "The obsession that Pakistan shows with a rather unequal relationship with the China is perplexing."
As with Indian members who mock Pakistan regarding this, the Chinese members are basically grossly misinformed, and can't think out of their own shell, keeping in mind the perspective of other countries.

When one is small, one can't have an equal relationship.



Where did all this trade data come in?

US-China also have a huge trade, but does this mean that US doesn't consider China as its main competitor?
Who does China consider its main competitor?

Trade is important up to a point, but only up to a point. Geo-political rivalry however doesn't usually find remedy in trade.

Of cos trade is important, look how spineless American when comes to starting a war with China. :enjoy: US is on running US dollar game and can afford the huge trade deficiency while such luxury is not applicable to Japan who constantly need to increase trade to stay afloat.

In fact, Japan economy survival at certain points is depend entirely on China economy. It is the upper political of Japan desperate trying to delay the inevitable of rising China. They still cling horribly to the idea in next ten years , it will still be Japan as the leader of whole Asia and Japan leading. Abenomic is doing plenty of damage to Japan economy and his military expansion is further putting strain on Japan expenditure with no good return. Let me give you an fine example. Abe donated a fleet of coast guard ships to Philippine and end up what? Duterte having an alliance with China and these money goes down the drain. You think Duterte will be grateful for Japan for this donation? He is no stupid and knows Abe want him to use this ship to stir more anti-China BS but everybody knows its a failure. :lol:
 
In fact, Japan economy survival at certain points is depend entirely on China economy.

Lol. Substantiate your point.

It is the upper political of Japan desperate trying to delay the inevitable of rising China. They still cling horribly to the idea in next ten years , it will still be Japan as the leader of whole Asia and Japan leading.

No body in Japan seems to be clinging to any dream which says that japan will be leader of Asia.

Let me give you an fine example. Abe donated a fleet of coast guard ships to Philippine and end up what? Duterte having an alliance with China and these money goes down the drain. You think Duterte will be grateful for Japan for this donation? He is no stupid and knows Abe want him to use this ship to stir more anti-China BS but everybody knows its a failure. :lol:

Duterte has an alliance with China? LOL.

Like really, do you even know what an alliance means?

US troops are INSIDE Philippines, and even Duterte who was earlier making comments to remove them, has stopped making those comments.

Of course, Duterte is playing everyone to get as much as he can get.

But you know what? Even Duterte has nothing against Japan.
AND
Philippine Society in general has grown extremely anti-China, and pro-Japan, and pro-America.

In a democracy, the society is what matters. Duterte would soon have re-election, let's see what he does. Anyways, that Philippines is a US ally is a fact.

US spy planes routinely operate from there to monitor South China Sea.

If you really want, try to first remove US troops from Philippines before making them your ally! LOL.
 
Lol. Substantiate your point.



No body in Japan seems to be clinging to any dream which says that japan will be leader of Asia.



Duterte has an alliance with China? LOL.

Like really, do you even know what an alliance means?

US troops are INSIDE Philippines, and even Duterte who was earlier making comments to remove them, has stopped making those comments.

Of course, Duterte is playing everyone to get as much as he can get.

But you know what? Even Duterte has nothing against Japan.
AND
Philippine Society in general has grown extremely anti-China, and pro-Japan, and pro-America.

In a democracy, the society is what matters. Duterte would soon have re-election, let's see what he does. Anyways, that Philippines is a US ally is a fact.

US spy planes routinely operate from there to monitor South China Sea.

If you really want, try to first remove US troops from Philippines before making them your ally! LOL.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-politics-duterte-idUSKCN11W17T

You hit the point. Precisely society matters. Invite Chinese for investment. Stop aggression against China. US is a penniless beggar. US cannot offer the same economy benefit which Pinoy needs like China do. As I say, US troops staying in Philippine is due to treaty signed. US troops staying in Philippine is more of a formality as if Duterte really needs them?

Philippine society is not pro US. You are just making things up to try prove your point. Only the very upper level of Pinoy is pro US as they enjoy lots of benefit from US but most ordinary Pinoy are tired of US tyranny. For example, their US marine rape and murder of ordinary Pinoy can get away with just few years in secular and well fed jail. Many ordinary Pinoy hate US to core.
 
Japan can play a bigger vibrant role , as a independent player.

Running around Trump won't do much for Japan
hqdefault.jpg



The face says it all , Trump disrespected him by not letting go of his hand, enjoyed holding is had for 20 seconds , Abe was very trumatized and looked at his advisor to secure him away from Trump


Confident Hand Shake
japan-shinzo-abe-russia-vladimir-putin-shake-getty-640x480.jpg



Prom Date Handshake
6547fb97b643834f3ae8ad8584c68209.jpg



letgoofmyhand.jpg
 
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Trump: don't worry i already grabbed your hand
Patting on Abe's hand, as if he was a US pet

Abe: okay i got the message, now let me go
Trump: Not yet i won't
keeps pulling Abe's hand, come here you pet

Abe: okay okay i am convinced of the strong US-JP relationship, can you let my hand go?
Trump: Nothing to worry, i can still pat your hand right?
Abe: please do
Trump: it's a wonderful handshake, in fact it's a great great handshake.
giving another pull

Abe: WTF? Did he clean his hand? It's so sticky
 
Main competitor? That is what I call selective posting. You are assuming China never import a single stuff from Japan and no Chinese tourist ever goes to Japan annually and no Chinese spends a single cent while in Japan?

Maybe you can check out the trade data between China and Japan in 2014-2016 before you sprout rubbish again.

Don't quarrel with an Indian cheerleader. It is a waste of precious time.

Japan can play a bigger vibrant role , as a independent player.

Running around Trump won't do much for Japan
View attachment 376585


The face says it all , Trump disrespected him by not letting go of his hand, enjoyed holding is had for 20 seconds , Abe was very trumatized and looked at his advisor to secure him away from Trump


Confident Hand Shake
japan-shinzo-abe-russia-vladimir-putin-shake-getty-640x480.jpg



Prom Date Handshake
6547fb97b643834f3ae8ad8584c68209.jpg



View attachment 376583

Like I said in a previous thread. Trump is a disgrace that the US deserved for a long time. They have fully earned an orange baboon like Trump.
 
Patting the hand is a sign of dominance over the person whose hand got patted. Trump just showed Abe who is the boss. :enjoy:

That also was exactly my feeling when I watched the weird moment of handshake.

I have no goodwill toward Mr. Abe but I felt for him. Trump obviously tried to dominate him. Mr. Abe appeared clumsy.

His personal tragedy does still matter less when compared to the tragedy he is causing for Japan by mindlessly kowtowing to the US at the cost of Japanese interests.
 
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