Koizumi pledges to back U.S. despite opposition to Iraq war

Mainichi International ^ | 3/5/03

[areafiftyone]

Japan will throw its support behind the United States if Washington attacks Iraq despite domestic opinion against the war, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Wednesday.

Koizumi said in a Diet debate that in the past many politicians have made mistakes by bowing to public opinion.

"If you are asked to choose war or peace, everyone takes peace," Koizumi said. "But politicians sometimes have made mistakes by going along with public opinion. History has proved it."

Koizumi made the remarks when an opposition Democratic Party of Japan member told the prime minister that public opinion polls showed more than 80 percent of the Japanese people were against the U.S. plan to attack Iraq.

Koizumi then cited threats posed by North Korea's nuclear development program to stress the need for Japan to cooperate with the United States.

"If you think about North Korea, we have to say the Japan-U.S. security alliance has been a great deterrence," Koizumi said. "I will handle international affairs while at the same time looking closely at our alliance with the U.S. and thinking about the need for international cooperation."

This line of argument shows Koizumi believes Tokyo has to cast support behind U.S. actions against Iraq because Tokyo definitely needs Washington's help in dealing with North Korea's nuclear development program. (Mainichi Shimbun, March 5, 2003)

[over3Owithabrain]

Good to know we have at least a few good friends left on the world stage. Not too many leaders with the courage to stand for what is right when the polls say otherwise. Makes me feel even better about driving my Japan/US Mazda!

[George W. Bush]

I suspect the PM's exchange was considerably more subtle and meaningful in Japanese than this translation indicates.

Japan is a good ally. But then, they do have a wacko with nuclear weapons on their doorstep shooting missiles over their head too.

That is perhaps an unworthy observation. I think Japan might have supported us anyway. But I'm not entirely certain.

It is interesting to note that by ignoring the North Korean threat for now, South Korea and Japan and China are being more quiet about Iraq than if we had taken care of North Korea first. Just a coincidence, no doubt.

[Cicero]

The Japanese are an ancient, civilized, sophisticated people. It's good to know that they still have adult politicians in charge.

[newgeezer]

Unlike Turkey, Japan still understands "which side its bread is buttered on."

[bonesmccoy]

Japan says... Please buy:

Japan says they will buy:

[OldFriend]

At least Japan is willing to acknowledge that it needs the US......as for old europe.....they have very short memories and a very long history of backing the wrong side.

[msgrrl]

Finally!!! Somebody with some common sense.

[Grampa Dave]

GWB, you have some excellent insight here with this comment of yours: It is interesting to note that by ignoring the North Korean threat for now, South Korea and Japan and China are being more quiet about Iraq than if we had taken care of North Korea first. Just a coincidence, no doubt.

[montag813]

THIS is what a real ally looks like. Watch closely Turkey.

[hchutch]

Translation: President Bush said, "You help us, we'll help you. Once Saddam is dealt with, we'll give Kim Jong-Il a choice. Either YOU shut down the Yongbyong nuclear reactor complex, or the 509th Strategic Bombardment Wing will do so FOR you."

[Grampa Dave]

In the mean time the anti war rhetoric from the ChiComs, the SKs and Japan have become little whimpers.

[Magnum44]

Japan understands the meaning of collective security. Our Iraq is their N. Korea. They will be with us so that we will be with them when needed.

[Warren]

An astute observation. Good to see Japan is not as hateful of America as Europe has become.

[Momaw Nadon]

Attack on Iraq Betting Pool

[veryconernedamerican]

turkey hasn't been told in uncertain terms what they stand to lose, or doesn't believe what they have been told, i think in the next few days turkey is in for a rude awaking
they should look at the map, israel, iraq, afghanistan, freindly countries for the us to base troops, who needs turkey, who needs saudi arabia and their sponsoring of this islamic crap. i include iraq because it is a given, that iraq will fall and soon, and we have to put those 300k soldiers somewhere. the political landscape of the middle-east is nearing the end of a transformation. i suspect africa will need some work in the next twentyfive years.

[George W. Bush]

Team Bush is sometimes underappreciated even here at FR.

They are a very sly bunch. Even after 9/11, I didn't think we'd see an operation this slick or anything like a global war on terrorism and terror states. But I was wrong.

Some of the Bush domestic agenda is too liberal for me but these boys do know how to handle foreign and military policy. They amaze me several times a week. Been a long time since we've seen anything quite like the current administration.

[happygrl]

Been a long time since we've seen anything quite like the current administration.

I'll second everything that you've stated in your post.

I have firmly believed that Providence intervened for this nation at the time of the 2000 Presidential election. The dark side almost won.