Common security goal

Common security goal

Japan should urge China to exercise self-restraint.

Japanese and U.S. Cabinet officials in charge of security
matters have agreed on the "common strategic objectives" in the
post-9/11 world. While both Japan and the United States are
nervous about China's military buildup, China is a neighbor of
Japan.

If the relations between China and the United States become
tense, Japan would be adversely affected both politically and
economically. As a U.S. ally, Japan should call on China to
exercise self-restraint in its military buildup to reduce the
risk of letting tensions arise needlessly.

Currently, Japanese and Chinese leaders are prevented from
mutually visiting the other country because of Koizumi's
persistence in visiting Yasukuni Shrine. Such a state of affairs
works to the detriment of Japan's interest from a standpoint of
security and other areas.

-- The Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo