Outline of Discussions

            The Global Forum of Japan (GFJ) and the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) co-sponsored “the Japan-U.S Dialogue: US-Japan Alliance in the 21st Century” in Tokyo on June 1, 2007. In the Dialogue, heated discussion was held among experts over the potential divergence of opinions between the US and Japan as to how to deal with North Korean problems such as the abduction issue and nuclear testing, as well as over the viability of the status of the US-Japan Alliance in the 21st century.

Morning Session: Major Challenges in the US-Japan Alliance

           In the Morning Session on the theme “Major Challenges in the US-Japan Alliance,” four lead discussants stated respectively that “Japan should pay attention not only to the abduction issue but also to bigger issues like the dismantlement of nuclear facilities. We expect Japan to reinforce its contributions to global affairs through PKO and such, and at the same time, improve bilateral relations with its neighbors. This leads to the consolidation of a multilateral framework within the region” (Prof. Robert SCALAPINO); “Japan is now seeking the status of ‘a global, ordinary power.’ Already ‘a global power’ as it is, for Japan to be ‘ordinary’ is yet to be defined. What the US will be like in 10-20 years is our grave concern” (Prof. INOGUCHI Takashi); “Due to the emerging importance of soft power, like economic power, the US-Japan-China triangular relationship has shifted from the Cold-War balance-of-power type to the post-Cold-War balance-of-influence type. Therefore, powers should act in concert. Future US-Japan relations should aim at close partnership with China” (Amb. Nicolas PLATT); “North Korean nuclear and abduction issues, Chinese military buildup and the ambiguity of US foreign policy all put Japan in complex of dilemmas. While the US seems to oppose Japan going nuclear, the chances are that it will be surrounded by nuclear powers sooner or later. Should that be the case, how reliable is the US-Japan Alliance? We should all know that the US-Japan Alliance is now at a crossroads” (Prof. TAKUBO Tadae).
           In the following Free-Discussions, both US and Japanese panelists exchanged frank views. Here are two examples: “Japan should consider how to improve its relations with neighboring countries rather than consider whether or not to go nuclear. The US wants Japan strong both politically and economically, but not militarily” (US panelist); “The US kept on compromising with North Korea with no gains. This is the same with Iran. When will it stop? Is the nuclearization of North Korea the only product of Bush’s eight years of diplomacy?” (Japanese panelist)

Afternoon Session: Prospects for the US-Japan-China Triangular Relationship and/or Northeast Asian Security

           In the Afternoon Session on the theme “Prospects for the US-Japan-China Triangular Relationship and/or Northeast Asian Security,” four lead discussions were made, which included the following points: “As Chinese strategic importance is being shifted from the north (Sino-Soviet border) to the sea area (Taiwan), US military transformation accordingly takes shape in the reinforcement of the Guam base. Although Six-party Talks aims at the denuclearization of North Korea, it is likely that she will remain nuclearized. The US has to comprehensively review its nuclear strategy to match the post Cold-War era” (Prof. MORIMOTO Satoshi); “There is in East Asia no clear image of a regional security architecture to supersede the US-centered hub-and-spokes model. It remains to be seen whether it would be Asia-oriented or the Pacific-oriented. From the US standpoint, an APEC-centered architecture is preferable because it includes Taiwan. As for North Korean problems, while normalizing the US-Japan-China triangular relationship is our first task, the ultimate goal of the US is to denuclearize North Korea” (Min. Joseph DONOVAN); “Japan wonders with concern whether the rise of China serves to stabilize the region. It is not sensible to overstress the ‘value gaps’ between Japan and China. While we should endeavor to foster a cooperative relationship with China, the US-Japan Alliance will remain an indispensable public asset for the stability and prosperity of Asia” (Mr. TAKEUCHI Yukio, former Foreign Vice Minister); “Taiwan is now ‘Taiwanizing’ itself and to consolidate the status quo is the best option for the region. The US continues with its dual policies of deterrence and reassurance” (Prof. Donald ZAGORIA).
Afterwards, in the Free-Discussions, frank opinions were raised, such as “The US is trying to get a clear understanding of nascent regional organizations in East Asia and where they are going. It is possible that the US should engage in the question of regional architecture without participating in those organizations” (US Panelist); “The US should understand that it is in view of human rights and democracy that we invite Australia and New Zealand to discussions on an East Asian Community” (Japanese panelist).

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