Clicking on banner ads enables TruthNews to stay on the web

FrontPage

Nation

World

Media

Culture

Technology

Commentary

US Missile Defense: Mixed Signals from Japan

Amy Bickers, Voice of America
April 1, 2001

TOKYO -- After nearly a week of controversy, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi says he believes the proposed U.S. missile defense shield is worth studying. Mr. Koizumi's comments follow reports his foreign minister told foreign diplomats she opposes it.

Japan's official policy has been to say it "understands" the U.S. proposal to build a missile shield. But Tokyo, concerned about Chinese opposition to the U.S. national missile defense, has yet to publicly back its closest ally.

But that carefully crafted position was threatened last week, when Japanese Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka was reported to have told European and Australian diplomats she has doubts about the U.S. proposal.

So in his first appearance at a parliamentary debating session, Prime Minister Koizumi was pressed to clarify his government's policy. He reaffirmed Japan's neutral stance, saying only that the U.S. missile defense strategy is worth studying. Mr. Koizumi says that if the system is deployed, it has the possibility to change existing ideas about arms reduction, arms control, and other security issues. He adds that that is why he thinks it is worth studying and that the Japanese government understands why the United States is conducting the research.

Ms. Tanaka has come under criticism from entrenched political leaders and veterans at the foreign ministry as she undertakes to reform the diplomatic corps. What has been, until now, seen as a domestic political issue, could have international consequences.

Mr. Koizumi is due to hold his first meeting with President Bush later this month in Washington. Some Japanese lawmakers say they are worried that the issue of missile defense and the timing of the controversy surrounding Ms. Tanaka's alleged comments could dampen the summit.

At Wednesday's parliamentary session, Socialist leader Takako Doi accused Mr. Koizumi's administration of sending mixed signals. While Liberal Party leader Ichiro Ozawa asked the prime minister to consider that Ms. Tanaka's reported comments could have a huge impact on Japan's future.

Search the Web.

Red Dragon Rising
China's Military Threat to America
Edward Timperlake & William Triplet
As it flexes its diplomatic and military muscles, China is becoming an increasingly powerful player on the world stage.