The Washington Times Foundation website partially states its mission as follows, “We support the resolution of human conflict and the strengthening of peace through building bridges of understanding and cooperation between people, cultures, systems of governance and faith traditions.”
Wednesday, at its headquarters in D.C., the foundation held an event titled “Japan’s Awakening Under Abe: From Hibernation to Regional Leadership,” where five distinguished panelists, including a delegation from the Japanese embassy, discussed Japan’s emerging new found role in Asia.
The audience found itself listening to two very different opinions of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s agenda and the event certainly lived up to the foundation’s charter to attempt to resolve conflict.
Shigeo Yamada, political minister, Embassy of Japan, discussed how Mr. Abe’s recent speech in front a joint session of the U.S. Congress showed the world how Japan is really back as a leader in the Asian region with a shared vision with the United States for peace and stability. The new interpretation of the Japanese constitution that allows for collective self-defense is a new chapter in the U.S.-Japan alliance. He also stated that Mr. Abe, the prime minister, has made it clear that Japan is remorseful for its role in World War II, especially the comfort woman issue. He mentioned that he hoped Mr. Abe’s visit will be remembered for substance rather than for pictures at Graceland in sunglasses.
Shihoko Goto, who is the senior associate for Northeast Asia in the Asia Program at the Woodrow Wilson Center, focused mainly on economic issues. She offered that Japan has an opportunity to reposition itself as a critical U.S. economic partner. “Abenomics” is working, she said. Japan must use the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations to focus on Japan’s future economic model as the export driven model of the past will not take Japan where it needs to be in the future. Economic strength is critical to the U.S.-Japan relationship. It remains to be seen how the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will affect the alliance’s role in the region.
Chris Nelson, publisher of the Nelson Report, praised the recent meeting between Mr. Abe and President Obama. It looked like a summit, he said. Mr. Nelson provided insight into the military situation in Asia. The Chinese are playing a serious game and need to understand that an attack on Japanese outposts in the region will be considered an Article Five obligation for the United States to come to their aid. It is important for Japan to grow its self-defense capability in order to defend U.S. forces in the region. He also mentioned the Japanese view of the comfort issue is being taken the wrong way in South Korea. Mr. Abe has taken responsibility for Japan’s actions for the first time ever and should be praised for that.
Dr. Young C. Kim, professor emeritus of political science at George Washington University, in the most fiery presentation of the event, discussed South Korea’s view of Japan’s handling of the comfort women issue and how South Korea is concerned about Mr. Abe’s military buildup. Mr. Abe is using the United States for building its military footprint and capability in order to promote Japanese hegemony in the region over the long term, Mr. Kim said. Mr. Abe’s actions are calculated and the prime minister wants Mr. Obama to come to Hiroshima, Mr. Kim said. Mr. Kim also noted that Mr. Abe is denying Japan’s role in WWII and its responsibility to deal with the war’s consequences. Mr. Abe is confident of a weak U.S. reaction to his agenda, Mr. Kim said.
Finally, Kevin Maher, former director pf the U.S. State Department’s Office of Japan Affairs, poured cool water on Mr. Kim’s speech, essentially saying South Korea is not ready to accept Japan’s apology, which in his mind, is real and sincere. Mr. Abe has shown impressive leadership and investors are confident in Japan’s economic future, said Mr. Maher. The necessary reforms are happening, and Japan’s increasing defense budget is a good thing for America, he said. Mr. Maher countered that Japan is not using the United States to grow an ultra right-wing future. He also said to look at what Japan does and not try and parse the words Mr. Abe says for Japan’s future direction.
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