U.S. visit will test Tanaka
After hemming and hawing, Washington has agreed to a visit to Washington by Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka, who has stirred controversy here and abroad over her off-the-record comments that reportedly raised doubts about the U.S. missile defense plan, the Japan-U.S. security alliance and other issues. She is to meet U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on Monday prior to the June 30 summit between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and U.S. President George W. Bush. A U.S. visit by Mrs. Tanaka is essential to dispel any misgivings the Bush administration may have about her "missile talk" and other remarks that have created the impression that she favors China over America. Mrs. Tanaka also has been quoted as saying that Japan should reject any future visa applications from former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui. Reinforcing her pro-China image is the fact that she is the daughter of former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, who opened diplomatic relations with Beijing in 1972. The chief objective of her U.S. trip must be to reaffirm the Japan-U.S. alliance and build a relationship of personal trust with Mr. Powell by explaining clearly what the Koizumi administration thinks of the bilateral relationship, the linchpin of Japan's foreign policy. On that basis she should talk with Mr. Powell frankly about both immediate and long-term issues of common concern. By so doing she can lay the groundwork for a successful Japan-U.S. summit. Mrs. Tanaka has expressed a desire to visit Washington at an early date before Prime Minister Koizumi meets President Bush at Camp David, Maryland. Unfortunately, preparations made little headway because of her controversial comments on missile defense and other sensitive issues. Her critics in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party openly demanded her resignation, temporarily putting the planned visit on hold. Ultimately she prevailed not only because of her strong desire to visit the United States, but also because Mr. Koizumi wanted her to smooth the way for his first summit with Mr. Bush. Nevertheless, questions linger over her fitness as the nation's top diplomat. In this light, the U.S. trip is a major diplomatic test that provide an opportunity for her to prove her mettle and put those doubts to rest once and for all. The Japan-U.S. relationship, founded on the bilateral security treaty, is our most important bilateral relationship. A solid relationship with the U.S. is essential to remaining on good terms with our Asian neighbors and other nations and to making contributions to stability on the Korean Peninsula and in other regions. But for that, government officials on both sides must trust each other and be willing to frankly discuss any issues of mutual interest. The Tanaka-Powell meeting must be a first step toward building a better bilateral relationship under the Koizumi and Bush administrations. Japan's official position on the missile defense plan is that it "understands" the U.S. initiative -- a position confirmed by Mr. Koizumi, Mrs. Tanaka and Defense Agency Director General Gen Nakatani. Mrs. Tanaka is expected to essentially say the same thing in her talks with Mr. Powell. That will not be enough, however, because the project as it stands raises more questions than it answers. The U.S. is planning to build a missile shield against ballistic missiles fired by "rogue states." One major question centers on whether it is technically feasible to hit and destroy all incoming missiles. Even if it is, many question the wisdom of building such a system, which will entail enormous costs. There is also fear that the plan, if implemented, might trigger a fresh nuclear arms race. Predictably, Russia and China are opposed to it. Even European allies have voiced strong reservations. The problem with Mrs. Tanaka's comments on missile defense is that they were made extemporaneously in talks with her counterparts from China and other nations. If she merely expressed concern about the U.S. move, however, there is nothing wrong with that. An alliance is a two-way street. Japan need not always follow America. Mrs. Tanaka, of course, should be careful to toe the government line, but this should not prevent her from asking honest questions about the missile plan. After all, that is how mutual understanding is fostered. Since the end of the Cold War, Japan and the U.S. have posited their security alliance as the foundation for stability in the Asia-Pacific region. However, they have yet to map out a credible strategy for promoting regional and global stability. From this perspective, Mrs. Tanaka and Mr. Powell should discuss how the two nations can best cooperate to establish peace in the 21st century. The issue of U.S. bases in Japan should be addressed in this context. The Japan Times: June 17, 2001
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