How Japan Can Finally Say “No”

Japan Prime Minister Taro Aso speaks to reporters on Sunday following reports of a N. Korean rocket launch.

by Collin Spears, Washington, DC Bureau Chief

It is highly unlikely the U.S. and Japan will be able to obtain the cooperation of Russia and China, because both are hesitant to say that the test violates any UN resolutions, due to Pyongyang’s claim of a satellite launch. Despite this, the U.S. should at least make the effort. Second, any Six-Party Talks agreements must contain an agreement by North Korea to set up a joint committee with Japan to reinvestigate the abductions of Japanese citizens in return for Japan lifting its sanctions. The Japanese have the leverage to do so; the only question is if the Japanese leadership has the will.

In 1990, the controversial right-wing Governor of Tokyo, Ishihara Shintaro, published “The Japan That Can Say No: Why Japan Will Be First Among Equals”. Although Ishihara’s book stoked long simmering nationalist fires, nearly 20 years later, many Japanese are still speculating if or when Japan can “say no” to the United States, the target of Ishihara’s book. As since the end of World War II (WWII), Japan has continued to work closely with the United States on global security issues. Still, there has been a growing concern in Japan that America has not been attentive in addressing Japanese security concerns, especially regarding North Korea. This situation may be the tipping point in U.S. – Japanese relations where Tokyo truly becomes an independent actor for the first time in 60 years.