US and a new Japan

[Merlin]

There will be some changes, perhaps minor ones, to the relationship.

Possible snags in US-Japan alliance

The newly elected DPJ, which vowed more independence from Washington, may relocate US bases in Japan and end its support for US efforts in Afghanistan.

3 Sept [CSMonitor] Japan has long been a sturdy United States ally. But with the recent election of the Democratic Party of Japan, are more rifts likely to emerge? The DPJ’s leader, Yukio Hatoyama, campaigned on a more independent relationship with Washington.

Though ties between the two countries are likely to remain strong, a series of contentious military issues is already drawing concern.

This week, a former Japanese official has confirmed, perhaps for the first time, “that past administrations… gave tacit approval to letting U.S. vessels and aircraft carrying atomic weapons to pass through or stop over in Japan,” reports the Japanese Times.

That’s a problem for two reasons: Past governments in Japan having consistently denied the existence of the covert pact. If true, the revelation could possibly strain ties. Second, the DPJ campaigned on a platform of exposing the purported secret nuclear pact. Now that the news appears to be out, the DPJ has fodder with which to challenge the Obama administration.

It appears more a matter of principle than practicality. It’s not as if US warships or planes are landing in Japan with nuclear weapons. As the Japanese former official clarified, “a U.S. ship carrying nuclear weapons has not made a port call in Japan since the end of the Cold War.”

How the US and the DPJ will respond to this news is not yet clear. So far, a White House press release said that in a phone call early Thursday, Obama and Hatoyama “stressed the importance of a strong U.S.-Japan Alliance and their desire to build an even more effective partnership,” reports Japan Today.

But the DPJ may want to challenge the US’s large footprint in Japan. Another potential sticking point involves the 47,000 US troops stationed in Japan, ....

[Rumrunner]

What is the USS George Washington again? Oh yea, a nuclear powered aircraft carrier. Based in Yokosuka. The Shikishima (PLH 31) is a purpose-designed high seas escort for nuclear material carrying frighters & nuclear powered ships. Japan has dozens of nuclear power plants. Whats all the whining about?

[Golgo 13]

What is the USS George Washington again? Oh yea, a nuclear powered aircraft carrier. Based in Yokosuka. The Shikishima (PLH 31) is a purpose-designed high seas escort for nuclear material carrying frighters & nuclear powered ships. Japan has dozens of nuclear power plants. Whats all the whining about?

Nuclear weapons. Weapons of mass destruction. And Japan as a Country does not support them.

[Rumrunner]

Fair enough and I can completely understand why they dont want Nukes there, but in all honesty, what is the concern? A nuclear weapon accidenally detonating is about as likely as a nuclear powerplant meltdown, but with much less yield...or so it would seem to me, who knows little about nuclear weapons and powerplants.

[Merlin]

In Singapore there had been a case when a visiting nuclear vessel leaked radiating liquid in our port, and we were not informed.

[Golgo 13]

Fair enough and I can completely understand why they dont want Nukes there, but in all honesty, what is the concern? A nuclear weapon accidenally detonating is about as likely as a nuclear powerplant meltdown, but with much less yield...or so it would seem to me, who knows little about nuclear weapons and powerplants.

I don't think there is a concern about the dangers of nuclear weapons. This was the DPJ campaigning to it's people that the LDP are sneaks, liars and they bent over backwards for the United States, doing something that went against the Country's own stance on Nuclear arms. The DPJ wants to move away from this buddy-buddy relationship (Or subservient to the U.S. whims) to a more transparent relationship, one with equal-footing in order to pursue closer ties with China.

[nebula82]

I think it’s terrific the new government is going to make Japan more independent. Japan has to plot its own course and destiny.

However while there might be small changes nothing will be fundamentally different until the US military completely leaves Japan. That will not happen in the foreseeable future as US troops are still relevant to Japan’s security.

Nebula82.

[Doomarias]

But who says the political tides cant turn again?

[Merlin]

But who says the political tides cant turn again?

Nobody can say for sure of course. But is it likely at the next election, for Japan, and for the US?

[Doomarias]

Nobody can say for sure of course. But is it likely at the next election, for Japan, and for the US?

For the US it gets more likely every day.

[crooks]

For the US it gets more likely every day.

Yeah but the kind of swing the DPJ have been elected on would in an American election give the Republicans 300 house seats and 70 senate seats.

Japan voted for change - a more independent foreign policy has always been a cornerstone of the DPJ, it will soften as they have power but in principle I'd say it's a good thing.