How Will Obama Presidency Affect Japan-U.S. Relations?

[Mikawa Ossan]

When Clinton was president, he had a tendency to "ignore" Japan in favor of pushing closer ties with China. When Bush took office, the pendulum swung the other way, and he strengthened ties with Japan again.

What do you think an Obama presidency will mean for Japan-U.S. relations?

 

[Capster78]

I think that if Obama changes american in the way americans think he will, you will see America become an isolationist country like we did prior to WW2. I think we may possibly see withrawl from Okinawa and a good chunk of troops from South Korea. I think america may be headed in a direction that will put more pressure on the other world powers to control the dictatorships and lawless lands of the world. Of course all they will do is talk and talk untill inevitably they have to get involved (to late), creating another possible world conflict. However, Im still holding out that Obama will "see the light" when it comes to parts of the bush strategy on being actively militarily involved in crushing terrorism and opressive governments around the world before they spread.

 

[Astroboy]

When Clinton was president, he had a tendency to "ignore" Japan in favor of pushing closer ties with China. When Bush took office, the pendulum swung the other way, and he strengthened ties with Japan again.
What do you think an Obama presidency will mean for Japan-U.S. relations?

I think that Barack Obama will make positive impact to Japan as well as the world because;

1. He will consider more cooperation with allied countries instead of mono-polar world centered around the United States.

2. He will adopt more government-controlled economy rather than maret-oriented economy. US economy will come near to the Japanese.

3. "McCain" is known only as frozen potato in Japan, but "Obama" is known in Japan as name of persons as well as name of city. So, more familiality with Obama in Japan.

 

[Elizabeth van Kampen]

As a layman in this field, I guess that the new President Obama will get a hell of a job to get the American economics straight in the U.S.A. before he can look into our direction.

I also think, if I may say so, that Europe will have to look more towards Asia to begin with. Asia and Europe will have to work together in many ways. And then we also have to work with the U.S.A. to come to an understanding with the Middle East.
Much later comes poor, poor Africa in picture.

Tell me when I am wrong.

 

[caster51]

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I think Japan should not follow U.S anymore.
If Japan doesn't notice Decline of America, and follow behind the strong man named the United States, posture peacefully is unhealthy.

 

[Astroboy]

I think Japan should not follow U.S anymore.
If Japan doesn't notice Decline of America, and follow behind the strong man named the United States, posture peacefully is unhealthy.

It's not a question of whether "follow USA" or not. But a question of national interests, I think.

 

[Astroboy]

I believe ..... Japan better keep distance from Europe & USA in terms of Africa and Middle East. Poverty in Africa and conflicts in Middle East are mostly a result of their "Pro-Human" acts.

According to them, Japan is inhuman, and the Japanese apologies for the past wartime acts are not enough. So we are not entitled to join their "Pro-Human" activies in those regions.

As an alternative, I personally suggest Europe & USA to utilize China as they are more "Pro-Human" people and Chinese do not eat Whale meat so far.

 

[Capster78]

I believe ..... Japan better keep distance from Europe & USA in terms of Africa and Middle East. Poverty in Africa and conflicts in Middle East are mostly a result of their "Pro-Human" acts.
According to them, Japan is inhuman, and the Japanese apologies for the past wartime acts are not enough. So we are not entitled to join their "Pro-Human" activies in those regions.
As an alternative, I personally suggest Europe & USA to utilize China as they are more "Pro-Human" people and Chinese do not eat Whale meat so far.

We invited all our allies to join us to rid Iraq and Afghanistan of the extreemists. So Im not sure what your talking about. Infact, I though japan decided not to return to help us in the middle east. We did not ask them to leave.

 

[Elizabeth van Kampen]

According to them, Japan is inhuman, and the Japanese apologies for the past wartime acts are not enough. So we are not entitled to join their "Pro-Human" activies in those regions.


Astroboy, I was talking about the future.

And yes indeed, China, Japan and India, Singapore and all the other Asian countries should come closer to the European Union.
We all have to become modern, and I don't mean western, no I mean modern.
TVs, radios, PCs, mobiles, then start looking over our borders, start talking to each other and thank goodness for the English language, today we can talk.
In this modern world we can all talk together. India is very seldom mentioned in the Forum, but I see it as a great country.

Some ten years ago there was a prophecy: "Terribe things would happen, wars all over the world. And then when the world was one big missery a man would stand up and bring the world back to normal again."

Well, Barack Obama could be that man.

 

[Astroboy]

We invited all our allies to join us to rid Iraq and Afghanistan of the extreemists. So Im not sure what your talking about. Infact, I though japan decided not to return to help us in the middle east. We did not ask them to leave.

On April 17, 2008, Nagoya High Court ruled that dispatch of troops was partly unconstitutional.

Due to rising anti-Iraq sentiment from the opposition, the Japanese government announced it JASDF forces in Kuwait would withdraw soon, though it was announced that the withdrawal was due to the improving security situation and the nearing expiration of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1790, which allows multinational forces to stay in Iraq until December 2008.
Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group - Wikipedia

Japan's Air Cargo Service in Iraq was end. Japan's Gas Station Service in Indian Ocean is still ongoing, but it may stop soon. Unlike USA/Nato nations, Japan's constitution limits deployment of SDF. So we cannot "help" you anymore.

 

[Astroboy]

"Terribe things would happen, wars all over the world. And then when the world was one big missery a man would stand up and bring the world back to normal again."
Well, Barack Obama could be that man.

Still not happened yet, I assume, and Barack Obama may worsen the situation.

He said that USA should put more emphasis on Afghanistan, instead of Iraq.

USA is very much afraid that "Terrorists" gain Nuke because Terrorists will use Nuke for attacking USA. In order to eliminate such risk, USA focuses on Afghanistan, and now moving to Pakistan.

In short, USA realises that it needs to keep its chin up (or keep fighting). Once they stop, it will be revenged.

As I said, conflicts between USA/EU and Islam are rooted in deep history.
And Japan and other Asian countries have nothing to do with such. Probably USA/EU may need to clear "something" before "future" as they said that Japan should make more apologies to the past.

 

[Elizabeth van Kampen]

As I said, conflicts between USA/EU and Islam are rooted in deep history.
And Japan and other Asian countries have nothing to do with such. Probably USA/EU may need to clear "something" before "future" as they said that Japan should make more apologies to the past.

Astroby I can't speak for the Americans since I am a European.
Oh yes, the Europeans have a long history in wars with the Islam. But today we have another problem. Millions of Islamites are now living in Europe, and among those are some terrorists.
It is very easy to enter Europe. We also have many African emigrants entering European countries, especially West-European countries; Spain, Italy, France, England, Belgium, Germany and Holland. We are beginning to look like America.
Lately we also getting many more Chinese emigrants coming to Holland as well.

When I came to Holland in 1946 there were around 10 million people living in this country, today there are over 16 million, very crowded.

Back to the terrorists. Why does one go and live in a country or a part of the world one dislikes or even hates? Those terrorists hate everyone who is not Moslim, the plan is to kill as many non-Moslims as possible in this world.
The trouble is that we now don't trust the moderate Moslims either, that is a pity.

The past? The Japanese war past? Has nothing to do with Barack Obama.

May I say something personnaly? I have said it before; I don't care about the apologizes, they mean nothing to me. When I am sorry about something that I have done, then I feel deeply ashamed about myself.
But most of the time when we say "sorry", we think Oh ya ... sorry! and life goes on.
My experiences during WWII made me a well-balanced woman. I am a winner.
But of course as I said these are just my feelings.

Recognition and honesty from all sides, would be so much better. That is history, that is fascinating.
Not that silly word "Sorry!".

 

[Astroboy]

It's a matter of migration policy of Europe, isn't it? When Europe faced labour shortage in 1950s - 1970s, Europe welcomed Turkish, Moroccan, and other muslims as cheap labours. Today their sons or grandsons are causing problems in EU countries. Plus EU's Schengen Convention make things worse.
Why don't EU tighten the migration policy?

I cannot imagine the future of Japan, in which foreigners account for more than 10% of total inhabitants.

 

[Astroboy]

The past? The Japanese war past? Has nothing to do with Barack Obama.
May I say something personnaly? I have said it before; I don't care about the apologizes, they mean nothing to me. When I am sorry about something that I have done, then I feel deeply ashamed about myself.
But most of the time when we say "sorry", we think Oh ya ... sorry! and life goes on.
My experiences during WWII made me a well-balanced woman. I am a winner.
But of course as I said these are just my feelings.
Recognition and honesty from all sides, would be so much better. That is history, that is fascinating.
Not that silly word "Sorry!".

People in Japan don't care the past, but Europe cares the history. And Majority of Japanese are not shamed of the past, but proud, while Europe/China/Korea forces us to feel sense of guilty. Noboy teach us, but younger generation has continued to exploit veiled history by themselves as it is the time of internet.

Either way, as Europe is believed to be ethically superior to Japan, Europe will be able to overcome migration issue as well as terrorism without inhuman acts. I don't care European issues as far as they don't call us.

Now back to Obama, it is very suprising to see that African-America succeeded to take presidency in USA. But from my perspective, USA needs to change as they face serious difficulties. In other words, Barack Obama is a result of US crisis.

From the Japanese perspective, if the policies Obama adopts contradicts the Japanese policy, Japan will change itself as well. Unfortunately US influence has become less than before, and thus Japan-US bilateral tie may not continue to be top criteria between two nations. What he can do for changing USA will be quite limited as the world has already become "Multipolar".

Until some ten years ago, G7 nations could have controlled the world politics & economy, but today we are talking about G20. During such times, Japan had to bear US/European-led initiative as we are only non-West. But today non-West may be more than West among G20.

Either way, What Obama can do will be quite limited, and the world will move more independently, being separate from US wish. And it is why Americans chose Obama as they unconsciously recognize such a sign of less powerful USA.

 

[Elizabeth van Kampen]

Okay Astroboy,

Wow! Pleased to read that you have an answer to every problem, most of us haven't.

Good luck

 

[Astroboy]

Okay Astroboy,
Wow! Pleased to read that you have an answer to every problem, most of us haven't.
Good luck

Thanks.
Japan has tons of problems as well, but let's keep hope for FUTURE.

 

[NewHero]

Now back to Obama, it is very suprising to see that African-America succeeded to take presidency in USA. But from my perspective, USA needs to change as they face serious difficulties. In other words, Barack Obama is a result of US crisis.

It's interesting how many non-Americans (or new American citizens) are surprised by Obama's victory. They all say: "But he's BLACK. Isn't there too much racism in the USA for him to be elected? How is this possible?"

The USA has been evolving for many decades. Hopefully Obama's victory will force other countries to stop telling their citizens lies or half truths about the USA.

Yes, the US financial problems did help get Obama elected. But I don't think that Barack Obama is the "result of US crisis". That is a gross overstatement. If you research his life, you will find that he has lead a very successful life. He excelled in school and in his career (unlike George w. Bush). Obama is the result of the "US dream." It was MLK's dream, but it has become the American dream. As Spike Lee said: this could happen only in America.

 

[Elizabeth van Kampen]

New Hero,

Yes you are right, this can only happen in America!

I have been watching untill the end, and that was around 5 a.m. in Holland.
I shall never ever forget it. I sat there with tears in my eyes. Most Europeans are very happy with Barack Obama.

America can be very proud! He is not just black, he is simply a very intelligent a broadminded and very self-disciplined gentleman!

 

[caster51]

America can be very proud! He is not just black, he is simply a very intelligent a broadminded and very self-disciplined gentleman!

I think Japan does not care about that or american dream.

The problem is a policy to Japan.
President ability is to justify something .



what does the american hope Obama concretely at such condition?

"just we can do It ?"
I hope it is not said after all ' yappari"

 

[Astroboy]

Most Europeans are very happy with Barack Obama.

Probably Most Europeans expect Obama to solve "Islam vs West" issue .... ?

Who will be Obama's secretary of state?
Who will be Obama's secretary of state?

 

[Astroboy]

"Institutional racism" within UK parties would prevent a British Barack Obama from becoming PM, an equality chief says.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/default.stm

African-British people begin to speak out. Islamic-British People will also speak out soon.
Is this also an influence of Barack Obama ??

Either way, Life in UK/Europe must be "Anti-Racism" as they are "Pro-Human right". Thus, unlike us (Japanese), they will solve a long history of racism SOON.

 

[mgclenney]

I agree with New Hero.

If Barack Obama's victory does anything it proves to the world that maybe America isn't as racist or as "evil" as they were lead to believe and start to question everything bad they've heard about us. And as a result it might make other countries more open to TRY TALKING with us, especially middle eastern countries. *coughIrancough*

Do I think Obama is going to "save the world" in 4-8 years? No

Do I think that he is the begining to something big, something good for the world? Yes. So many world leaders are willing to talk to him already and talking to each other, rather than glaring at each other from across our borders, is always a good start.

Back to the question of this thread. I know little to nothing about the Japan-U.S. relationship, past and present. All I know about Japan is that I want to go there and live there for a while or for the rest of my life. So coming from that (uninformed) stand point, I think it will either stay the same, or get better. I don't think he'll ignore Japan, but with the economy, the two wars, and other huge issues, he probably won't make the relationship one of his top prioities.

 

[Astroboy]

Meet the Japanese Obama

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-japanese-obama-1028oct28,0,210636.story

I hope US citizen will understand "the Japanese Joke".

 

[Astroboy]

Michael Jackson 'converts to Islam and changes name to Mikaeel'
Michael Jackson has reportedly become a Muslim and changed his name to Mikaeel.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...rts-to-Islam-and-changes-name-to-Mikaeel.html

Michael Jackson wore an abaya, a traditional Arab women's veil, in Bahrain

YES. Many Americans love to "Change".

 

[JerseyBoy]

Michael Jackson wore an abaya, a traditional Arab women's veil, in Bahrain
YES. Many Americans love to "Change".

Michael is hardly an average American. Many political parties in the world tend to come to power by promoting policy change from the incumbents.