USA Betrays Japan?
Hiroshi Yuasa, Sankei Shimbun (Industrial and Economic News) Tokyo special correspondent, writes:
"Ambrose Bierce's Devil's Dictionary defines politics as "a strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles." At the same time, principles and views can shift for political gain.
European history is filled with tales of alliances and ruptures. Countries were reportedly constantly in fear of being betrayed by their allies.
Japan has experience betrayals by its ally through two recent events: the United States' decision to delist North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism and its changing of the geographical listing of Takeshima.
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) recently changed its listing of Takeshima, which is Japan's inherent territory, from "South Korean" to "undesignated sovereignty," but then quickly reversed its decision in response to mounting criticism in South Korea. In anticipation of fierce protest demonstrations, the United States must have made the decision not to irritate South Korea ahead of President George W. Bush's trip to that country on August 6.
The United States' decision was clearly wrong in view of its own diplomatic documents. During the drafting of the text of the San Francisco Peace Treaty, the United States listed Takeshima as "Japanese territory."
Acting Political Advisor in Japan William J. Sebald's telegram (dated November 14, 1947) to the Secretary of State also stated: "Japan's claim to these islands is old and appears valid." A letter (dated August 10, 1951) from United States Assistant Secretary Dean Rusk to the South Korean ambassador also read: "This normally uninhabited rock formation was never treated as part of Korea, and since about 1905, has been under the jurisdiction of the Oki Islands Branch Office of Shimane Prefecture of Japan."
The Bush administration made the decision on Takeshima under the rule of The Devil's Dictionary in defiance of the past documents. This can be called a betrayal or cunning.In view of Japanese feelings, it is an act of disloyalty. A recent Sankei-FNN opinion poll clearly showed that the Japanese public is fed up with being betrayed by the U.S.
In the poll, 32.3% responded positively to an extension of the new Antiterrorism Special Measures Law to logistically support U.S. military operations, while 53% responded negatively. In last November's poll, the rate of approval was higher than the disapproval rate five to four. This year's poll also posed questions about assistance for the United States. Japan has assisted U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, thinking its military strength is the only way to prevent North Korea from carrying out provocative acts. It was also a senior U.S. official that declared, "Abduction is an act of terrorism."
The United States tends to adopt a reconciliatory policy toward an adversary once it succeeds in carrying out a nuclear test. In fact, The U.S. immediately shifted its stance toward France, Israel, India, and Pakistan once they had completed their nuclear tests.
Kyoto University Professor Terumasa Nakanishi refers to such a trend common in the Anglo-Saxon world as pragmatic thinking to join hands with unbeatable rivals.
The Wall Street Journal, describing the delisting of North Korea as betrayal of Japan, has warned that it would harm the U.S.-Japan alliance. It is good to know that U.S. views are split on how to handle North Korea.
If its alliance with the United States is indispensable in dealing with China, Tokyo has no other option but to win Washington over to its side by pulling the Bierce-style diplomatic stunt of telling a patriotic lie."
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