A report was published by the CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies) on US-Japan Alliance in August. It was compiled by the so-called pro-Japan US researchers, including Richard L. Armitage and Joseph S. Nye, and it provides a multilateral prospect of the alliance from a viewpoint to enhance the US strategy, including economy and energy, and stipulates US demands to Japan.


REPORT STIPULATES US DEMANDS TO JAPAN


A phrase Japan-US Alliance is heard openly today. But it is supported neither by the bilateral security treaty or certain domestic laws. The concept, however, goes beyond the security treaty in terms of content and spheres, and that means Japan's full cooperation with and participation in the US global strategy and behaviors.


The report analyzes the current state and future tasks of the US-Japan Alliance and enlists commitments to be shared in common and be made by the alliance. The basic idea is to fulfill the goal of the US strategy and reinforce the scheme to sustain it.


Japan's Efforts of Nuclear Power Generation Encouraged


The report begins with energy security and global trade.


Prime Minister Noda stressed recently that he had been completely right and fulfilled responsibility in having restarted nuclear reactors, rejecting strong objections. He continued to say that the two nations shared common political and commercial interests in developing nuclear power generation both domestically and internationally and that it was imperative for the two to engage in the R&D efforts.


The Noda cabinet has not approved the policy 'to reduce to zero the existing nuclear power plants by the end of the 2030s', which is a deceptive measure, though, because the United States demanded Japan to back to going nuclear and pile up plutonium for nuclear fuel.


The report, foreseeing an increasing natural gas demand of Japan, proposes that the US will supply shale gas and methane hydrates in lieu of Japan's active investment to develop relevant technologies and build up infrastructures which might account 7-14 trillion Yen.


The paper not only urges Japan to participate in the TPP (=Trans Pacific Partnership) arrangement but join a 'Comprehensive Economic, Energy, and Security Agreement (CEESA)' with a group of US, Canada and Mexico.


Containment of China and Amendment of Constitution


In the military sphere it, focusing on the re-rise of China, specifies: to reinforce the bilateral dynamic defense, to share weapons technologies and intelligence information, to ease constraints of arms exports of Japan, to intensify the Japan-US-ROK (Republic of Korea) trilateral military cooperation and to build up joint maritime expeditionary capabilities among Japan-US-ROK-Australia-Canada-New Zealand.


The report says that Japan's prohibition of collective self-defense is an impediment to the alliance and that Self Defense Forces of Japan may play a larger role if Japan changes the anachronistic constitution. It suggests greater authority of the Ministry of Defense of Japan through legal abilities to protect secrets and confidential information and advises using force, if necessary, in the mission of PKO.


It continues that Japan should unilaterally send minesweepers if Iran is intended to close the Strait of Hormuz. It does not explain much about the US forces stationed in Okinawa and recommends a realist posture to solve the sensitive historical issues between Japan and ROK from a point of national security interests and the future of the region.


Japan's Politics Dances to US Strategy


Evidently the CSIS paper incorporates Japan closely in the US strategy, but the more perilous point is that both of the Noda government of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and the opposition, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), appreciate the report as the voices of God. In fact they behave in compliance with the instructions in the diplomacy and verbal performance.


The DPJ, LDP and the Ishin-no-Kai group led by Osaka Mayor Hashimoto dance within the scope of US strategy. They are unable to ensure safety of people and seek co-existence with Asian peoples.


October 9, 2012