Foreign Relations Paper - Japan

Amanda Smith

Professor Schalin

Political Science 101

01 March 2015

Foreign Relations Paper- Japan

        Japan is one of the world’s most successful democracies and holds one of the largest economies. The U.S. Japan alliance is based upon U.S. Security interests in Asia and is crucial for security and success. The alliance is based upon mutual imperative interests such as the conservation and advancement of economic and political freedoms, human right advocacy, promotion of democratic institutions, prosperity for the people and establishment of stability in the Asia-Pacific area. Since World War II, Japan’s most important connection has been with the United States to date due to their mutual defense treaty. Additionally, the U.S. market is crucial for Japanese exports as well as a fundamental source of imports. The U.S. –Japan alliance has played a vital anchor in the U.S. security role in Asia. In exchange for security in Japan, the U.S. today has stationed nearly 50,000 troops in Japan in 89 exclusive facilities. This mutualistic cooperation allows both countries to develop and prosper as Japan receives their security needs and U.S. works towards strengthening their forces in Asia.

Japanese Prime Minister and U.S. Secretary of State, Christian Herter, signed the historic treaty establishing ties between Japan and U.S. shortly after WWII. The alliance is the basis for regional peace and security as well as a podium for global cooperation (whitehouse.gov). Although the relations between these two countries were formed nearly 60 years ago, the theoretical basis they have established then still applies today. Both countries share a vision for international order based upon rules and regulations in which the United Nations must enforce. By preventing conflict, international peace and security with thrive as well as sustainable development. Also, Japan as well as the U.S. endorses open markets and democratic values. In an open market, the Federal Reserve can regulate the economy and enforce monetary policies in order to ensure price stability and trust in the country’s currency (Tarver). Additionally, by maintaining democratic values, the people will feel as though they have a voice in government. Furthermore, given that both countries face security challenges, the U.S. and Japan are working towards intensifying and modernizing their security alliance, as well as advancing trade liberalization and economic growth. As two extremely powerful countries, their roles in international cooperation promotes a peaceful and thriving Asia-Pacific.

In order to understand the political context to the U.S. and Japan foreign policy, it is vital to discuss the foundation of this mutualistic relationship. After declaring war on the U.S. with the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Japan surrendered in 1945 after the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan’s surrender brought the hostilities of WW2 to a close. Japan, weak and defeated, sought security through the U.S. In 1951, the U.S. and Japan formed a treaty of joint cooperation and security between the two countries called the U.S.-Japan Mutual Security Treaty. The treaty was a 10-year military contract that established a security arrangement in Japan in exchange for the use of military bases for U.S. troops. The treaty enforced ten articles that promoted peace and unification between the two countries. Article I enforced that all international disputes must be handled peacefully in order to ensure that peace and security on an international level, is not disturbed. Article II stated that both countries must develop international relations by strengthening their institutions and principles in which they instill in their people. Article III declared that either country must be prepared and willing to provide aid in times of crisis or war. Furthermore, Article IV states that the treaty should be discussed when there is a disruption of peace in Japan or the Far East. Article V warns both countries that armed attacks against one another will be reported to the Security Council of the United Nations as a violation of Article 51 in the Charter. Article VI states that the U.S. is allowed to use Japan’s facilities as well as land and naval forces as long as they contribute to Japan’s security. Moreover, Article VII declares that the treaty does not strip or violate the rights of the Parties under the Charter of the United Nations. Article VIII and Article IX state that once the treaty has been ratified, their involvement in the Treaty of San Francisco will expire as this new treaty will be put into play. Lastly, Article X states that the treaty must be revised every ten years and if either party decides they no longer want to keep their ties, the termination of the treaty will take place one year after notice (mofa.go.jp). The treaty was signed and put into motion on January 19, 1960. Essentially, the treaty was built upon the idea of strengthening the U.S. and Japan’s commitment towards each other and building mutual defense cooperation.

As the foreign relations between the U.S. and Japan are still evolving, the political leaders who set forth new policies are crucial to this process. Japan’s government is known as a constitutional monarchy, which is based upon a parliamentary cabinet system. Executive power is granted to the cabinet, which is formed from the prime minister and 17 ministers of state that follow the Diet (web-japan.org). All national politics are based upon the Diet, which is the highest form of state power. Under Japan’s constitution, in order to ensure that the interests of most citizens are heard, the Diet has developed a bicameral system which holds the House of Representatives (lower house) and House of Councillors (upper house). Furthermore, there are several political parties in Japan but two in particular are the most popular: The Democratic Party of Japan (DOP) and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

From 2006-2016, Japan has faced a great deal of new leaders. Within the time frame, these politicians had taken the role of prime minister: Abe Shinzo (06-07), Fukuda Yasuo (07-08), Aso Taro (08-09), Hatoyama Yukio (09-10), Kan Naoto (10-11), Noda Yoshihiko (11-12) and lastly, Abe Shinzo for a second time (2012- present). Since Shinzo took office in 2006, he worked towards strengthening ties with the U.S. and promoting a more aggressive foreign policy. During his first year as prime minister, Japan had faced the greatest direct military threat since the Cold War. October 9, 2006, North Korea set off its first nuclear explosion. Six months prior, North Korea fired several test missiles towards U.S. bases in Japan. Under Shinzo’s rule, Japan and the U.S. worked together to speed up implementation of a joint missile-defense structure (Jameson). However, shortly after Shinzo obtained power, he resigned within a year due to health complications and a series of financial scandals. In 2007, Yasuo won office with his promises to implement a foreign policy that would improve their ties with China and North Korea. The Democratic Party of Japan (DOP), which controls the upper house, saw Yasuo’s policies as faulty, forcing him to resign in 2008. From 2008 to 2009, Aso Taro became prime minister. During his rule, he sought to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance and weaken ties between North Korea and China. He was known to endorse plans to fund the national pension plan, support labor reforms and promote regional decentralization (Shepherd). Shortly after he took office Japan fell into a recession, Taro felt responsible for the economic crisis; therefore, he also resigned from office. Taking his place from 2009-2010 was Hatoyama Yukio, who based his policies off of reducing spending and recovering the economy. From 2010 to 2011, Kan Naoto, similar to Yukio, worked towards reform. Furthermore, from 2011 to 2012, Noda Yoshihiko worked towards reuniting divided legislature, reducing national debt and offset rising social welfare expenses (Pletcher). Lastly, from 2012 to present day, Shinzo became prime minister for a second term. Shinzo’s policies revolved around defeating economic instability, strengthening Japan’s armed forces and providing assertive leadership on a regional and global level (Harris).

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