A tough diplomatic challenge

小泉外交の課題

So far the prime minister has focused on relations with the United States, particularly since the post-Sept. 11 fight against terrorism began. That was only to be expected. But there is also a sense that his foreign policy has "tilted" too heavily toward the U.S. and lacks a broader perspective that reflects Japan's peace-oriented principles.

We live in a shrinking world, with national boundaries growing ever more porous, and people's lives becoming more and more affected by what happens outside their own countries. In this sense, the Koizumi reforms are an integral part of Japan's comprehensive efforts to promote regional and global stability and to build favorable relations with other nations. With his domestic programs getting down to brass tacks, it is important that the prime minister also deploy positive diplomacy along these lines.

The 21st century began with the imagination-defying Sept. 11 calamity, dashing hopes, if only temporarily, that the world would enter a century of peace. Determined to root out terrorism, the U.S. assembled a multilateral military coalition against Afghanistan. Now the worst of the Afghan crisis is past, at least militarily. But in other hot spots, such as the Middle East and Kashmir, the deadly pattern of violence begetting more violence lingers.

Sadly, charting a course for 2002 must take into account the threat of terrorism that grips international society, for it is impossible to carve out a hopeful future without removing the roots of terrorism. A concerted effort is required to eliminate this common threat to global security. Japan must take a positive part in this effort as a top foreign policy priority.

Force, however, is not the only way to combat terrorism. September 11 cemented an international consensus that terrorism can never be justified for any reason. That is why most nations have approved of the U.S.-led campaign in Afghanistan. U.S. forces may eventually capture Osama bin Laden and annihilate his al-Qaeda network, but that will not stamp out terrorism. A military sweep, however effective, provides little guarantee against the emergence of more bin Ladens and al-Qaedas.

To be sure, the heavy use of sophisticated military hardware has proven capable of defeating the terrorist forces in Afghanistan. The downside is that it could unnecessarily inflame anti-U.S. sentiments in certain states that are hostile to America, making them more sympathetic toward the terrorists. That brings us back to the fundamental issue: To eradicate terrorism, the problems that cause it in the first place must be addressed.

There are no easy solutions. The starting point is to identify the problems, such as widening economic disparities between rich and poor, and endless regional conflicts. The antiterrorism campaign, if it is to be truly effective, must focus on these underlying causes. Japan can best contribute in two ways: by providing financial and other assistance to help improve living standards in poverty-stricken countries and by making diplomatic efforts to prevent or resolve conflicts.

Building confidence with our Asian neighbors is also a top diplomatic priority for the Koizumi administration. Negotiations with North Korea to normalize relations are stalled. Prospects for a resumption of the talks have been further clouded by the gun battle that occurred late last year between Japan Coast Guard patrol boats and an unidentified vessel, presumably from North Korea. The incident, which resulted in the sinking of the ship, remains a mystery.

For Japan and China, meanwhile, this is a milestone year that marks the 30th anniversary of the normalization of relations. Relations between Japan and South Korea are entering a new era of exchange with the two nations set to cohost the soccer World Cup 2002. But the smoldering tensions over the history textbook issue and Mr. Koizumi's visit to Yasukuni Shrine continue to cast a shadow over Japan's ties with the two neighbors.

In 2001 Japan's diplomatic machinery virtually ground to a halt because of internal discord between Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka and top ministry mandarins over the misuse of funds and other scandals. The situation now appears to be returning to normal, with Mrs. Tanaka gaining control over the bureaucracy. The time when the Foreign Ministry should have put its house in order and returned to its primary task of diplomacy has long passed.

The Japan Times: Jan. 10, 2002
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      地球は狭くなり、人々の生活は国際情勢に影響を受けるようになった。その意味で小泉首相の改革は、地域と世界の安定を促進し、他国との友好関係構を築くための日本の取り組みの重要な部分を占める。国内の改革が本格化する中、その路線に沿って積極的な外交を進める必要がある。今年、日本は外交政策の優先課題として、世界の安全への脅威であるテロ行為根絶に向けた国際協力に深く関わっていかなくてはならない。

     しかし武力はテロ対策の唯一の手段ではない。9月11日以後、テロが正当化できないことが世界の共通認識となり、大半の国々が米国主導のアフガン攻撃を認めたが、ビンラディンを捕らえアルカイダを壊滅させても、テロを根絶できる保証はない。軍事力の行使はテロ勢力打倒に効果がある反面、一部の国々に反米感情をかき立て、テロリストへの共感を生む危険性がある。テロ根絶のためには、その根本原因に対処しなくてはならないのだ。

     容易な解決策はないが、富める国と貧しい国の経済格差の広がりや、地域紛争といった問題を洗い出すことが出発点になる。日本ができる貢献は、貧しい国の生活水準向上のための援助などを行うこと、そして紛争を防止、解決するための外交努力を行うことだ。

     アジアの近隣諸国との信頼関係の構築も小泉政権の外交政策の優先事項だ。北朝鮮との国交正常化交渉は行き詰まり、昨年末、北朝鮮籍とみられる不審船と海上保安庁の間に起きた銃撃戦で交渉再開の見通しがさらに暗くなった。一方対中関係では、今年が国交正常化30周年という節目の年になる。韓国との関係は、ワールドカップ共同開催により新たな交流の時代に入った。しかし歴史教科書問題や小泉首相の靖国神社参拝が、この二国との間に緊張を生んでいる。昨年、日本の外交は田中外相と外務省官僚との間の摩擦でつまずいていた。今は外相が主導権を握り、状況は正常化しつつあるが、もっと早急に外務省内部の問題を整理し本来の任務である外交に取り組むべきだった。

The Japan Times Weekly
Jan. 19, 2002
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