Koizumi to build U.S.-Japan links

Koizumi may breathe 'fresh air' into diplomacy

In this story: Favorably impressed Relationship is strong RELATED STORIES, SITES

By Marina Kamimura
Tokyo Bureau Chief

TOKYO, Japan -- Junichiro Koizumi's election would seem a big plus for the relationship that is often called the bedrock of East Asian security, despite his self-professed lack of experience in international affairs.

About the only diplomatic initiative he has made crystal-clear since assuming Japan's highest political office is his stance towards the United States.

That is, Mr. Koizumi says that the U.S.-Japan relationship is the base of Japan's foreign policy and its relationships with the rest of the world, including Japan's ever-sensitive relationship with China.

In his first policy speech on May 7, Koizumi said: "Based on the foundation of the Japan-U.S. alliance, we must maintain and enhance Japan's friendly relations with its neighbors, including the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation."

Diplomatic sources in Japan are welcoming Koizumi's appointment.

While they realize Koizumi has never shown much interest in international affairs, they also believe that there is no reason to believe that his international policies, particularly when it comes to the United States, will veer far from the mainstream policies voiced by Tokyo for decades.

The U.S. administration, like everyone else both inside and outside of Japan, is waiting to see whether the new prime minister can turn his tough talk about reform into action.

U.S. President George W. Bush said on Friday that while he is concerned, he is also optimistic about Japan's future due to Koizumi's talk about reform.

Favorably impressed

U.S. officials say that visiting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage was "positively and favorably impressed" by his talks with the new prime minister last week in Tokyo.

He flew there to brief the Japanese about Bush's recent comments on missile defense and says that the United States is hopeful that the new leadership will "induce new energy into bilateral relationship."

While Armitage did not receive a ringing endorsement from the Japanese on Mr. Bush's plans for missile defense, U.S. officials say that overall Armitage was pleased with reaction.

Japanese Foreign Ministry officials say that in talks with Armitage, Tokyo said that it understands the U.S. position and reiterated its commitment to joint research on a so-called theater missile defense system.

Still there are concerns in some circles that recent bilateral problems, including the February collision between a U.S. submarine and a boat carrying Japanese high school students, plus Washington's recent problems with China, have somehow derailed efforts by the United States to improve ties with its main Pacific ally.

At several levels, Bush's team, known for its close relations and knowledge of Japanese affairs, has indicated support for an increasing call within Japan to take a more assertive role in international affairs, particularly in the area of collective security, currently barred because of Tokyo's interpretation of its own constitution.

Relationship is strong

Diplomatic observers in Tokyo say that while it would be wrong to characterize recent incidents such as the tragedy in Hawaii as "minor irritants," fundamentally the relationship with the United States is strong and that overall bilateral relations are in reasonably good shape.

Some analysts say they expect that Koizumi will breathe "fresh air" into Japan's diplomacy with western powers such as the United States and help Tokyo gain greater respect in the international community.

As Keith Henry, long-time political observer for MIT in Japan, puts it: "We have a man that when you sit down with him, he's going to tell you exactly what he thinks and -- particularly people in Washington -- Americans appreciate frankness, they can deal with differences of opinion."

At the very least, analysts say that the popular Koizumi's election will at least temporarily remove one key obstacle to Tokyo's relations with the outside world -- concerns about Japan's domestic political stability that plagued the administration of his unpopular predecessor Yoshiro Mori.

US officials say that Tokyo and Washington are now working towards Koizumi's first overseas visit as Japanese prime minister. They say that a visit to Washington could happen as soon as the end of June or early July.

Koizumi lays out plans for economic revival
May 7, 2001
Short on detail, Koizumi pledges deep reforms
May 7, 2001

House of Representatives (Lower House)
House of Councillors (Upper House)
Liberal Democratic Party
The Democratic Party of Japan
Japan Prime Minister's Office

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.