When Mr. Trump stresses "America First" the implications are that the interests of every other country should be subjected to this single standard. In Mr. Abe's case, however, as his policy slogan "Japan-US Relations First" would show, Japan's interests have been made subservient from the beginning, namely before the US-Japan summit, held at Washington on 11 of this month, Japan time. The dialogue was not on an equal footing. It was held under the US tutelage. I am deeply ashamed of it, and so are many of my fellow countrymen/women.
It was said that the alliance between the two is a cornerstone for peace, prosperity and freedom in the Asia-Pacific region. Has the statement said anything about the possibility of peaceful solution of whatever problem may prop up? No. It refers to the security situation in the Asia-Pacific becoming more serious, but it provides only for military measures to cope with it. It also approves the construction of the huge airbase at Henoko, Okinawa, which goes against the view of by far the majority of the residents there.
Mr. Abe is happy that the US has reiterated its intention to apply Article 5 of the Security Treaty to the Senkaku islands, that is, to defend them. Who else is going to threaten the security of these islands but China? Similarly the statement talks about the freedom of navigation and other matters in the East and South China Seas. These words are meant only for China. But strange to say, Mr. Trump had a very cordial telephonic conversation with the Chinese Chairman only the previous night. Then what are these policies for? Or are they mostly with DPRK in mind? Mr. Trump is going to increase the defence budget by a huge sum, but again for what? There is no real military threat in the Asia-Pacific, and the strengthening of the US-Japan military alliance itself is increasing the tension in this region. In this sense the summit was a complete failure, making no contribution to the peace of this area.
It was said that the alliance between the two is a cornerstone for peace, prosperity and freedom in the Asia-Pacific region. Has the statement said anything about the possibility of peaceful solution of whatever problem may prop up? No. It refers to the security situation in the Asia-Pacific becoming more serious, but it provides only for military measures to cope with it. It also approves the construction of the huge airbase at Henoko, Okinawa, which goes against the view of by far the majority of the residents there.
Mr. Abe is happy that the US has reiterated its intention to apply Article 5 of the Security Treaty to the Senkaku islands, that is, to defend them. Who else is going to threaten the security of these islands but China? Similarly the statement talks about the freedom of navigation and other matters in the East and South China Seas. These words are meant only for China. But strange to say, Mr. Trump had a very cordial telephonic conversation with the Chinese Chairman only the previous night. Then what are these policies for? Or are they mostly with DPRK in mind? Mr. Trump is going to increase the defence budget by a huge sum, but again for what? There is no real military threat in the Asia-Pacific, and the strengthening of the US-Japan military alliance itself is increasing the tension in this region. In this sense the summit was a complete failure, making no contribution to the peace of this area.
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