April,24,2014

Party Statement on the Japan-US Summit Meeting

Today’s Japan-US Summit Meeting confirmed the leading role played by the Japan-US alliance in the peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.

The most pressing issue in international society at the moment is, quite simply, the containment of China, with its extreme levels of tyranny. As part of deterring China, we applaud President Obama’s explicit statement about the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa falling under the protection of the Japan-US Security Treaty, and Prime Minister Abe’s support of the acceptance of the right of collective self-defense.

We look forward to the early conclusion of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP), as it will not only contribute to the strengthening of Japan’s growth potential, but also plays a role in restraining China through the creation of a free trade zone centered on Japan and the US.

There is no need to debate the importance of the Japan-US alliance, but as we are currently seeing both the decline of the United States and the rise of China, for Japan to contribute to the peace and prosperity of the region and the world as the leading power in Asia will require a strategic diplomatic and defensive approach rather than the existing complete emulation of the United States. Not only do we need to strengthen our effective rule over the Senkaku Islands, but we need to leave behind the “Yoshida Doctrine” and move ahead quickly to create a system which will allow us to defend our land ourselves. In addition to the United States, we should strengthen our links with countries like India, Southeast Asian countries, Australia, and other nations which share our values of freedom, democracy, and basic human rights to create an international coalition to encircle China.

One thing we cannot ignore in terms of containing China is the presence of Russia, and at this very moment, relations between the West and Russia are worsening over Ukraine. How Japan, the US, and Europe deal with this could drive Russia towards isolationism and closer to China, thereby destabilizing the world order, and bringing about a major crisis. I would like to add that for Japan’s part, we should pursue a diplomatic stance that, while working with the United States, allows us to act as a bridge between the US and Russia.

Ryoko Shaku,
Party Leader,
Happiness Realization Party