US-Japan squabbles may leave China in tough spot

• Source: Global Times
• [21:34 May 04 2010]
• Comments

Without other countries' support, China cannot resolve this issue on its own.

Only when the US and Japan are participating and countries like South Korea are working on it can it be possible that China will act as the leading party in this.

Qiu: What role does the US military base play in the current Japan-US alli-ance?

Morimoto: As an alliance partner, Japan has provided the US with a foothold for the disposition of the troops, human resources and material assets, so that the whole area remains stable.

I am referring to the whole of the Asia-Pacific area, including the West Pacific, the Middle East and Gulf, and the west coast of Africa.

The US Marine Corps has been deployed to places as far away Afghanistan and Africa from Okinawa.

Also the reason the huge 7th Fleet of the US Navy can move around and carry on missions in the west Pacific Ocean is that it has bases in Japan.

If the US didn't have a military base in Japan, it would have to return to Hawaii, its own territory, which would mean that the US military would not have the basic ability to establish a quick response mechanism.

Qiu: This year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the US-Japan Security Treaty. What is the most difficult issue facing the Japan-US alliance?

Morimoto: The toughest problem that faces the Japan-US alliance is how to make it work. The alliance was established to build a joint force to cope with the mutual enemy, the Soviet Union.

Now the enemy doesn't exist, and ordinary people have started to doubt the fundamental purpose of such an alliance. The 50th anniversary is a good opportunity to take a second look at the Japan-US alliance.

But now the Futenma air station has suddenly emerged as an issue, and the trusting relationship between the two is shaking.

Until the Futenma issue is well resolved, the Japan-US alliance won't move forward. Also, the Japanese economy is still faltering.

So to strengthen its defense power is not realistic, therefore, it can only rely on the protective defense umbrella of the US.