diplomacy

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Why do ministers favor Japan's interference in Taiwan question?
Akahata editorial

Foreign Minister Aso Taro's remarks that called "China a threat" is now a major issue. Also, Defense Minister Nukaga Fukushiro on a TV program spoke about Japan's action in the event of U.S. intervention in a China-Taiwan conflict. He said, "Japan will have to decide on its own whether the Japanese Self-Defense Forces may or may not carry out logistical support for U.S. forces" (November 28).

It is absolutely impermissible to intervene in any foreign conflict. It is out of question for ministers to speak as if launching military intervention is option regarding the Taiwan question.

Do they really understand "one-China' policy?

At the February 19, 2005 meeting of the Japanese and U.S. Security Consultative Committee (SCC), the foreign and defense ministers reached an understanding on common strategic objectives in the Asia-Pacific region that include the stated "develop a cooperative relationship with China; and encourage the peaceful resolution of issues concerning the Taiwan Straits through dialogue." While the U.S. maintains "power politics" as its mainstay, President George W. Bush has visited China and agreed with the Chinese government to establish "constructive cooperative relations."

Meanwhile, Japan under the Koizumi government, with continued Yasukuni Shrine visits by Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro, has aggravated its relations with China to the extent that the prime minister cannot hold talks with the Chinese leader.

The National Defense Program Outline approved in December 2004 states that the Taiwan Straits issue remains as "unclear and uncertain elements," and that it is necessary to watch China's military activities, statements criticized as hostile to China. Nukaga's statement is serious in that he has exacerbated the situation.

It is an internationally established principle that there is only one China and the PRC and Taiwan make up that one China. Specifically, Japan is most responsible to guarantee this principle because Japan colonized Taiwan as a result of the 1894-1895 Sino-Japan War, and returned the island in accordance with the Potsdam Declaration as a result of its defeat in the Second World War.

The 1972 Japan-China joint statement that normalized Japan-China relations recognized the government of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate Chinese government and Taiwan as an inseparable part of the territory of the PRC. The 1978 Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship is based on this principle.

This is why the government could not state that the Law on Measures to Deal with Situations in Areas Surrounding Japan to enable Japan to assist the U.S. forces in action abroad includes Taiwan in the "areas." Asked how Japan should respond to a U.S. request for assistance in the "defense of Taiwan," Prime Minister Hashimoto Ryutaro on October 7, 1997 stated the previous position and added that efforts should be made rather to seek the peaceful settlement of any disputes.

Defense Agency Secretary General Nukaga's statement shows a dangerous aberration from the past government pronouncements.

To promote a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question as well as to increase peaceful and friendly relations between Japan and China, it is necessary for Japan to respond by understanding history and abiding by international principles and the Japanese Constitution.

After the Japan-U.S. summit talks on November 16, Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro said, "The better our (Japan-U.S.) bilateral relations, the easier it will be for us to establish better relations with China and South Korea." How absurd it is of him to say this after he aggravated Japan's relations with China and South Korea! His arrogant posture that anything is possible through the power of the Japan-U.S. alliance will certainly be opposed by other Asian countries, and increase Japan's diplomatic alienation.

The Nukaga remark that has taken advantage of the moves to strengthen the Japan-U.S. military alliance therefore will greatly harm the interests of the Japanese people.
-Akahata, December 24, 2005