Japan needs permanent antiterrorism act
The Daily Yomiuri, Asia News Network, Tokyo
As expected, reinforcement of the Japan-U.S. security alliance in the context of antiterror efforts and the recovery of the Japanese economy were high on the agenda during summit talks between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and U.S. President George W. Bush in Tokyo.
A major purpose of Bush's visit to Japan was to seek Japanese understanding of his determination to carry out a war against terrorism, which is on the verge of a new phase.
It was a matter of course for Koizumi to tell Bush: "Japan will actively deal with (the situation). We will continue to support the U.S."
Today, international terrorism threatens peace and security around the world. Japan is responsible for playing an appropriate role to secure peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region as well as in the wider international community.
As for North Korea -- labeled by Bush as part of an "axis of evil" along with Iran and Iraq -- both leaders agreed on the need for closer policy coordination among the U.S., Japan and South Korea. A minute adjustment of their policies on North Korea would be significant for building peace in East Asia.
Meanwhile, it is difficult to decide what action is appropriate on Iraq. Japan must closely watch that nation's response to UN weapons inspections and discuss with the U.S. how to deal with the country. The U.S. has shown its readiness to use military force.
"All options are on the table to deal with potential threats," Bush stressed.
Japan's antiterrorism law is designed to be in force only for a limited time. It only covers Japan's actions in relation to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S., Japan needs to consider the possibility of drafting a permanent law, anticipating that the U.S. finally will decide to use force against Iraq.
Koizumi pledged to bring about Japanese economic recovery through comprehensive antideflationary measures, including disposal of nonperforming loans, along with structural reform.
Bush expressed full understanding and support for these measures, but Koizumi should not forget that his actions will also be tested.
At the press conference before the summit talks and at other opportunities, Bush and U.S. government officials repeatedly expressed serious concern about the Japanese economy from a viewpoint of the world economy and global security. Some of them criticized Japan as slow in fighting the economic crisis.
However, the Koizumi administration has just started discussing a package of antideflationary measures. Consensus has yet to be reached between the government and the Bank of Japan or even within the government itself on key measures such as the injection of public funds into financial institutions or the introduction of an inflation target. Japan must recover strength
The Japan-U.S. alliance is a mainstay of U.S. security policy in the Asia-Pacific region. If Japan is late in taking measures against the economic crisis and its economy is badly shaken, serious trouble might result for reinforcement of the Japan-U.S. alliance. This is another way in which Koizumi's action on recovery of the economy is being tested.
Bush stressed at the press conference after the summit talks that he trusts Koizumi's leadership.
To prove himself worthy of Bush's trust, Koizumi must quickly implement comprehensive and concrete measures to stop deflation.