Japan vows another year of international engagement

The Daily Times (Pakistan) ^ | January 2, 2005 | (none named)

[snowsislander]

TOKYO: Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi vowed 2005 would be another year of global engagement for Japan, with troops to stay in Iraq and pressure maintained on North Korea.

“Japan can ensure security and prosperity on the condition that the international community maintains peace and stability,” Koizumi said in a New Year statement.

“We will continue making an effort for the reconstruction and stability of Iraq by cooperating with the international community,” said Koizumi, a close ally of US President George W Bush.

In early December, Koizumi decided to extend Japan’s military presence in Iraq for another year despite public unease over the deployment, the first time Japanese troops are in a war zone since World War II.

Japanese forces are barred from firing their weapons except in self-defence by the US-imposed pacifist constitution, which Koizumi’s government may review in the new year.

The Iraq mission is officially meant for reconstruction, but is also seen as a signal that Japan wants a larger role in world affairs after nearly 60 decades of diplomacy conducted mainly with money.

In the region, Koizumi said he would press North Korea to solve pending issues including its nuclear ambitions and a row over Pyongyang’s kidnapping of Japanese people during the Cold War.

“I will cooperate with the international community to solve the problems of the kidnapping issue, nuclear issue and missile issue comprehensively,” Koizumi said. “I’m determined to stick to negotiation with (North Korea) by using dialogue and pressure,” he said.

Japan has threatened retaliation against North Korea such as cutting off economic ties unless the communist state returned Japanese people it has kidnapped or gave a “sincere response” on their fate.

[snowsislander]

This is basically a reprise of the Prime Minister's New Year's message:

New Year's Reflection by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi

January 1, 2005

A Happy New Year to you all.

Since the birth of the Koizumi Cabinet I have made every effort to promote structural reforms, under the basic policy that "without structural reforms there will be no rebirth or growth in Japan." I have also pushed ahead with reforms of "leave to the private sector what it can do" and "leave to the localities what they can do," and we are now seeing the "buds of reform" beginning to sprout. We are now entering a crucial time of whether we can nurture these "buds of reform" into a "large tree". Together with the people of Japan I will advance reforms with firm resolve.

I would like to sincerely offer my sympathy and concern to all of the people who were affected by the natural disasters - earthquakes, typhoons and torrential rains alike - that assaulted Japan last year. While working towards the swift recovery and reconstruction of the regions affected by natural disasters, I will work towards the improvement of Japan's disaster prevention measures to ensure that ours is a country that is good at withstanding the forces of nature with which we are faced.

Economic conditions vary from region to region in Japan and there are still regions in severe situation, but despite some weak movements in economic activities, we are seeing a continued recovery led by the private sector. I will continue to accelerate reforms in the area of finance, tax system, regulations and expenditure, work to normalize the issue of non-performing loans and make efforts to overcome deflation, thus realizing a vigorous economy.

In the budget for FY2005, in addition to advancing expenditure reform without exceptions, I will further promote the "three-part reform package," that reviews at once issues of reduction in state subsidies, the transfer of tax sources to local governments and reform in local allocation taxes, under the policy of "leaving to the localities what they can do". Bills on the privatization of the postal services will also be submitted to the regular session of the Diet this year, and Japan Post will be privatized in April 2007.

At the end of last year the Government of Japan decided to extend by one year humanitarian and reconstruction assistance activities being undertaken by the Self-Defense Forces in Iraq. The safety and prosperity of Japan is dependent on peace and stability in the international community. In cooperation with the international community, Japan will continue to make efforts towards reconstruction and achievement of stability in Iraq. In relations with North Korea, Japan will engage in tenacious negotiations under a policy of "dialogue and pressure" through international coordination, in order to resolve the abduction, nuclear and missile issues in a comprehensive manner. Japan's foreign policy will, as every year, be conducted on our own initiative, with Japan's national interests at heart, based on the two pillars of the "Japan-US alliance" and "international coordination."

What is most important for Japan's development is a spirit of self-reliance and self-discipline. This year, I will continue to push forward with structural reforms, in order to build a society in which each and every person can make full use of their own wisdom and motivation.

I ask for the understanding and support of the people of Japan in these endeavors. I hope that each and every one of you will have a wonderful, fruitful and fulfilling year in 2005.

[Txsleuth]

Dear Mr. Koizumi: Thank You!!!!! Also, thank you for your generous contribution to the tsunami victims with the US and NOT through the UN.

[grizzly84]

I've been impressed with Japan lately, incredibly generous 500 million donation for the Tsunami relief fund, tough common sense policies against North Korea.

[grizzly84]

I have been impressed with Japan lately, incredibly generous big hearted $500 million donation to the Tsunami relief. Tough common sense policies against Nuclear North Korea.

[AmericanInTokyo]

They are doing some good things these days. All they have to do is to fully embrace Free Trade, honor reciprocal trade agreements, and then they are A-OK in my book, across the board!

[snowsislander]

They are doing some good things these days. All they have to do is to fully embrace Free Trade, honor reciprocal trade agreements, and then they are A-OK in my book, across the board!

I don't think it's likely -- a preference for goods made in Japan even goes down to the household level.

Japan is wealthy because of its trade policies: it's a trading nation, with few natural resources. As far as I can see, they just don't have the luxury to allow themselves to become deeply indebted by running the massive trade deficits that we do. As it is, Moodys doesn't think that they can handle their current government debt levels, having reduced their sovereign debt ratings. (And, to be fair, I think Moodys is way off in spaceland on that one. The market certainly has not agreed with Moodys on this assessment.)