Abe Troubles May Affect U.S.-Japan Work, Experts Say

Reviewed by Takahiro MIYAO

Article:
Abe Troubles May Affect U.S.-Japan Work, Experts Say
Reuters (8/1/2007)
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN3127927520070801

Comments:

One of the immediate implications of Prime Minister Shintaro Abe's election defeat may be gradual erosion of the US-Japan alliance in the security field. This field has been a key area of cooperation between the Abe administration and the Bush government, but now has become a convenient target for the opposition parties to take up in criticizing the government in the aftermath of Mr. Abe's political defeat. In particular, as this Reuter article points out, the Abe administration will face a challenge in trying to extend the special anti-terrorism law to support US-led troops in Afghanistan before its expiration on November 1. Opposition leader Ozawa has already expressed his policy not to support the extension of this legislation and, as a result, Prime Minister Abe needs to approach this problem very carefully not to offend the general public any further.

This is going to be a very unfortunate development for Japan as well as for the US, since both Mr. Abe and Mr. Ozawa are considered pro-American politicians, and generally supportive of US military activities for the sake of world peace. In fact, these two politicians could have been two of the most enthusiastic supporters for US anti-terrorism operations in and around Afghanistan, if they had not been party leaders. Unfortunately, however, the political fate has it that Mr. Ozawa must oppose it and Mr. Abe should be cautious in expressing his support for US military actions in general.

Hopefully, Mr. Abe will meet and talk with Mr. Ozawa quietly, and find mutually agreeable arrangements to extend the key anti-terrorism legislation for the sake of maintaining the closed US-Japan relationship that the both politicians value the most. Especially, Prime Minister Abe must compromise to reach such agreements with Mr. Ozawa, even though it could cost him his premiership.

Acknowledgment:
This review is adopted from the following blog (with its Japanese translation):
http://glocom.blog59.fc2.com/blog-date-20070801.html