Japan’s Alliances Torn Between U.S. and China
It would be no surprise if President Barack Obama has gotten a little tired of meeting new Japanese prime ministers; after all, prime minister Yoshihiko Noda arrived in the United States last week as the third Japanese prime minister elected since Obama took office. Given the frequent turnover plaguing Japan’s highest elected office, it is hard not to wonder if Noda will be the last.
Still, Noda’s U.S. trip and recent statements in enthusiastic support of the U.S.-Japan alliance are cause for a sigh of relief — and a positive sign of Noda’s foreign policy intentions. During the past several years, the U.S.-Japan alliance has been rocked by an ongoing dispute over the relocation of an American air force base to a less-populated area of Okinawa. After campaigning on a pledge to move the base out of Okinawa entirely, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama backtracked after the election, angering domestic anti-base activists and frustrating his American counterparts. Seeking to repair relations with the U.S., his successor, Naoto Kan, announced his support for the planned relocation, but largely avoided tackling the controversial issue.
Only a few weeks after assuming office, Noda seems far less reticent. In his inaugural speech, Noda declared his intention to “further advance and develop” the U.S.-Japan alliance, and in recent interviews he has emphasized his determination to resolve the base relocation issue. Noda’s attempts to explain his position may not curb local opposition to new base construction, but his vocal support for the project sends clear signals that his administration hopes to work closely with the U.S. on security issues…