| U.S.
- Japan Relations |
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1.What is the current state of Japan - U.S. relations?
On September 8, 1951, Japan and the allied countries including the United
States signed the San Francisco Peace Treaty, formally ending WWII
and starting a new era of Japan - U.S. relations. Since then, even though
both nations experienced some frictions, such as in the trade field, Japan
and the U.S. have overcome such challenges and advanced to "the most
important bilateral relationship, bar none." (the late Senator Michael
J. Mansfield, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan). This was possible because
Japan - U.S. relations are based not only on shared interests, but also
on shared values and principles such as human rights, democracy and market
economy. In the history of the world, it would be very hard to find other
two nations who were engaged in war have so rapidly established so strong
partnership like Japan and the United States.
As a matter of fact, the majority
of both Japanese and U.S. nationals have excellent views on Japan-U.S.
relations. In a poll
which was released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan on June
20, 2003[PDF] showed that 67% of the U.S. general public group and
91% of the U.S. opinion leaders group regarded Japan as "a dependable
ally or friend." Moreover, another poll conducted by the Japanese
Government showed that 81.8% of the Japanese nationals thought that
Japan-U.S. relations were in a good shape.
Furthermore, as the No.1 and No.2 economies in the world, whose GDP
make up 40% of the world GDP, the United States and Japan have closely
collaborated on a vast array of global issues such as AIDS, population
problems, and children's health. For example, on September 4, 2002, Japan
and the United States jointly announced "Clean
Water for People" Initiative (A United States-Japan Partnership
to Provide Safe Water and Sanitation to the World's Poor). Furthermore,
Japan, the United States, and Saudi Arabia issued the Joint Press Statement
on Road Construction in Afghanistan, committing $180 million in total
toward a project to reconstruct the transportation network in Afghanistan
as a part of efforts to prevent Afghanistan to become a hotbed for terrorists
again.
The Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, which was signed on the same day as the
San Francisco Peace Treaty, has served as the cornerstone for peace and
stability in the Asia-Pacific region, where instability and uncertainty
still exist even after the Cold War. Japan spends about $6 billion per
year in stationing costs for U.S. Forces in Japan (so-called "host
nation support"). This is said to be more than any other U.S. ally.
Our commitment represents about $150,000 per year for each U.S. service
member in Japan.
Japan -U.S. Summit Meeting at Camp David
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Japan -U.S.
Summit Meeting at Camp David |
Being aware of the importance of Japan-U.S. relations for world prosperity
and stability, Japan and the United States have been closely cooperating
to tackle bilateral, regional and global issues under multi-layered consultation
mechanisms from the top leadership to working levels, both in public and
private sectors. On June 30, 2001, when Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
and President George W. Bush had a summit meeting at Camp David, they
jointly issued the "Partnership
for Security and Prosperity", agreeing upon further strengthening
their strategic dialogue, enhancing cooperation by both nations on global
issues, and commencing new economic initiatives.
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JDS Hamana (right,AOE
424)
refueling USS AOE with pipelines on the Arabian Sea (Maritime Self
Defense Force) |
On the occurrence of the terrorist attacks in September 11, 2001, Japan
strongly condemned the despicable terrorist acts, considering them to
be not only attacks on the United States but also threats to the international
community as a whole, which upholds democracy and freedom. Japan has closely
cooperated with the international community, in particular the United
States, in this fight against terrorism. For example, Japan dispatched
destroyers and supply ships to the Indian Ocean, mainly to provide at-sea
refueling for U.S. and British naval vessels, which are conducting anti-terrorism
operations. The Air Self-Defense Force of Japan has also provided airlift
support to the U.S. forces. In many occasions, including the Japan - U.S.
Summit meeting in February 2002, the United States expressed appreciation
to Japan for the compassion they showed after September 11 and the support
Japan has provided for the war against terrorism.
For more information, please visit:
Japan - U.S. relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/index.html
Japan's Measures in Response to the Terrorist Attacks in the U.S., Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Japan
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/terro0109/index.html
Clean Water for People, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/environment/wssd/2002/document/us.html
2. What is the current state of Japan - U.S. economic relations?
As shown in the following facts, Japan and the United States are major
trading partners:
- The United States Japan's largest trading partner. Japan's imports
from the United States account for 18.1% of Japan's total imports. Japan's
exports to the United States make up 30% of Japan's total exports.
- For the United States, Japan accounts for 11.1% / 7.9% of the U.S.
imports / exports, respectively. Japan is the largest trading partner
of the United States among all the non-NAFTA member nations and the
largest importer of the U.S. farm products.
- As for direct investment, Japan's investment in the United States
amounts to $159 billion and U.S. investment in Japan is $64 billion.
As the first and second largest economies in the world, which share approximately
40% of the world GDP, Japan and the United States have important responsibilities
for the growth and stability of the global economy. Furthermore, as the
amount of trade and investment between Japan and the United States increases,
the two economies increasingly become interdependent, which inevitably
creates not only opportunities but also challenges.
Recognizing these factors, Japan and the United States launched the " U.S.-Japan
Economic Partnership for Growth" in June 2001. The objective
of the Partnership is "to promote sustainable growth in both countries
as well as the world" by addressing such issues as macroeconomic policies,
trade, investment, regulation, and financial issues and by creating fora
such as the Sub ? Cabinet Economic Dialogue to discuss various economic
issues. Based on the Partnership, Japan and the United States have been
closely cooperating to tackle bilateral, regional and global issues under
multi-layered mechanisms for dialogue from the top leadership to working
levels. For example, under the Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy
Initiative, which is one of the fora established under the above-mentioned
Partnership, the Japanese and U.S. governments have conducted frank and
constructive dialogue in matters relating to regulations and competition
policy and have made significant progress in reducing regulations, enhancing
competition, and improving market access.
Japan economy is currently
in its most difficult period since WWII. The Koizumi administration
is committed to address such economic issues as non-performing loans
and deflation, and to conduct regulatory and other structural reforms,
in order to revive the Japanese economy. The U.S. government has expressed
its hope that the Japanese government successfully proceeds in necessary
reforms to bring recovery to its economy. On October 30, 2002, the Japanese
government announced the Comprehensive
Measures to Accelerate Reforms[PDF] and the
Program for Financial Revival. In this regard, U.S. Council of Economic
Advisers Chairman Glenn Hubbard issued a statement, saying that he was
encouraged by the announcement of Prime Minister Koizumi's plan to reinvigorate
the banking sector and revitalize the economy.
For more details, please visit the following links:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/index.html
Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry
http://www.meti.go.jp/english/information/data/JUSrelation/cJUSrele.html
3. What do the Japanese and U.S. governments do to tackle global
issues?
As the first and second largest economies in the world, which share
approximately 40% of the world GDP, the United States and Japan have been
working together to tackle major global problems for many years. For example:
- The two countries launched the "Common
Agenda for Cooperation in Global Perspective" (the Common Agenda)
in July 1993, with the aim of jointly seeking solutions to global problems,
such as increasingly pressing environmental degradation, overpopulation,
and damage from both natural and man-made disasters. The Common Agenda
has consisted of four pillars: promoting health and human development;
responding to challenges to global stability; protecting the global
environment; and advancing science and technology. Under these four
pillars, approximately 100 projects in 18 specific areas have been conducted
to date.
- At the Japan- U.S. summit meeting held at Camp David on June 30,
2001, Prime
For more information, please visit:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/agenda/gpers.html
4. What are the major aspects of Japan-U.S. security arrangements?
The Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements, which are based upon the Japan-U.S.
Security Treaty, have not only led to peace and prosperity in Japan and
the Far East, but have also functioned effectively as a fundamental framework
for stability and development throughout the Asia-Pacific region, where
instability and uncertainty still exist even after the Cold War. The forward
deployment of the U.S. forces is critical in deterring the occurrence
of contingencies in this region. The followings are important facts and
developments:
- Japan spends about $6-billion per year in stationing costs for U.S.
Forces in Japan (so-called "host nation support"). This is
said to be more than any other U.S. ally. Our commitment is represented
by the spending of $150,000 per year for each U.S. service member in
Japan.
- Japan and the United States have made numerous efforts to enhance
the credibility of their security arrangements. At the Japan-U.S. Summit
meeting held in 1996, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and President
Bill Clinton issued the "Japan-U.S.
Joint Declaration on Security Alliance for the 21st Century,"
which laid basis for the future posture towards the Japan - U.S. alliance.
In this regard, in 1997, Japan and the United States revised the Guidelines
for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation, aiming at building up a solid
basis for more effective and credible Japan-U.S. cooperation under normal
circumstances, an armed attack against Japan, and contingencies in area
surrounding Japan which have an important influence on Japan's peace
and security. (it is officially called "situations in areas surrounding
Japan") To ensure the effectiveness of the Guidelines, the Japanese
Diet passed new laws in 1999. Furthermore, both governments have been
working further to implement the Guidelines. For example, two nations
have been discussing joint strategic planning in case of a military
attack on Japan and plans for mutual cooperation in the situations in
areas surrounding Japan. In June 2002, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
and U.S. President George W. Bush agreed to strengthen their security
dialogue in various levels, in order to set the direction of future
security cooperation. At the meeting of the Japan -U.S. Security Consultative
Committee (the "2 plus 2" meeting) on December 16, 2002, Japan
and the United States decided to intensify security consultations between
the two countries.
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| JDS Hamana (right,AOE 424) refueling
USS AOE with pipelines on the Arabian Sea (Maritime Self Defense
Force) |
- How to minimize the impact of U.S. forces' activities in Japan on
residents living in the vicinity of U.S. facilities and areas is an
important issue for ensuring the smooth operation of the Japan-U.S.
Security Arrangements. The U.S. government has
emphasized the importance of "good neighbor" relations between
U.S. forces and local residents. Based on this perception, Japan and
the United States are cooperating closely in implementing various measures
to facilitate the smooth activities of U.S. forces stationed in Japan
and to reduce the impact on local communities. In particular, recognizing
the vital importance of reducing the burden on the people of Okinawa,
where U.S. facilities and areas are highly concentrated, the Japanese
and U.S. governments are working on the steady implementation of the
Final Report of the Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) drawn
up in 1996. As was reaffirmed at the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting on June
30, 2002 and the "2 Plus 2" meeting on December 16, 2002,
Japan and the United States will continue to cooperate in reducing the
burden on the people in Okinawa.
For more details, please visit the following links:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/index.html
Japan Defense Agency
http://www.jda.go.jp/e/policy/f_work/f_work_.htm
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