politics

Pompeo calls Suga 'force for good' during visit to boost solidarity against China

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By Humeyra Pamuk and Sakura Murakami

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Vietnam will be a key partner in this too. Actually, Japan, India, and ASEAN would be better off countering China without meddling from the Americans, who really just want to sell weapons and continue justifying their military footprint in east Asia.

0 ( +17 / -17 )

Hahaha, based on what authority and which laws ?

-21 ( +11 / -32 )

It's in China's favor to settle things peacefully. You promised peaceful economic rise, remember? Follow through on your promise.

Play nice with the rest of Asia especially, don't follow in Japan's mistakes of the past. History will remember, your neighbors will remember.

5 ( +18 / -13 )

ReasonandWisdomNippon, no worry. China is around for at lease 10,000 years. Any neighbors isn't benefitted ?

-26 ( +7 / -33 )

Obviously, Japan violated Japan-China friendship again, and broke promises again.

-27 ( +12 / -39 )

The free and civilized world must keep a stand against this communist dictatorship that took it’s advantage in the last decades with unfair and dirty economy and semi slavery and oppression to it’s own people.

Remember that even the Soviet Union in the end collapsed,so everything is possible with freedom and perseverance.

5 ( +15 / -10 )

China and Russia are two nations not under the influence of western powers. Have to respect that. Hong Kong, Vietnam, Australia, Japan, India, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia are former colonies or entities under the Anglo American dominion. It’s best for these states to play the middle in order to benefit from both security and market access.

-9 ( +7 / -16 )

America is much stronger than China. We are allowing others to join in on the fun.

-1 ( +11 / -12 )

It would be good for QUAD to be expanded to include Taiwan and SE Asian nations in coming years. Military exercises should be conducted in the region to let the Commies know they have no hope of expanding their "territory" by even one inch. PRC military would be hopelessly outclassed by the combined QUAD nations. If push came to shove, it would be the shortest conflict of all time!

7 ( +12 / -5 )

Fighto!, you have the shortest sight, that is it. If there is a conflict, Japan is the first line in any fight. Just look how far the others away from Japan. Get it ? That is why so unimportant nation such as Japan suddenly becomes important.

-21 ( +5 / -26 )

Minority threats majority, what democracy is that ?

-21 ( +3 / -24 )

Remember that even the Soviet Union in the end collapsed,so everything is possible with freedom and perseverance.

China is the worlds number one economy after 5000 years.

Australia put its citizens under house arrest even though not infected. USA is on the brink of civil war. India has a racist caste system. Japan has had a declining economy for over 22 years.

maybe it is time to learn from China.

-19 ( +6 / -25 )

Goodlucktoyou "India has a racist caste system."

The biggest on the planet, and Japan shares value with.

-16 ( +7 / -23 )

Akie

China is around for at lease 10,000 years. Any neighbors isn't benefitted ?

It didn't matter how many zeros China had in its history, if they are bullying now, they should be addressed now. About the neighbors having benefits, I think they caused more harm than good, but I would like you to give me examples.

The four should start by helping Hongkong and Taiwan's sovereignty over China.

13 ( +17 / -4 )

Hahaha, based on what authority and which laws ?

Based on the free market, plus international law.

They'll simply choose to boycott, divest, and sanction China.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

wraither said "I think they caused more harm than good, but I would like you to give me examples."

China has been an engine for the world in the past 30 years. Japan has benefitted, Koreas have benefitted, Russia has benefitted, Vietnam has benefitted, Fillips has benefitted, Lao, Thai, Cambodia, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, all have benefitted. In fact, no one has not benefitted.

You call that bullying ? Then Bully me.

-17 ( +6 / -23 )

maybe it is time to learn from China.

Learn what? How to set a perfect dicatoriship?

How to enslave other countries like Tibet and repress the free will of people from other thinking? How to bring fear to Taiwan?

How to secretly hide a deadly infection for almost half year to the world community?

No thank you,I stick with the old and good democracy and the freedom of press and human and animal rights.

I’m so sorry for people that got brainwashed by such disgusting system.

Japan has it’s weak spot,but still it is a democracy and has the right to join the free and democratic world to fight this threat.

10 ( +16 / -6 )

The main background issue is the decline of the USA and the rise of China. The USA is doing its best to suppress China, which will become the world's top economy in a few years. The USA doesn't want to become number two, but with the lack of any leadership by Trump, that will happen. The USA should just accept this and work with China, and not against China. It could benefit from that.

-4 ( +9 / -13 )

@Akie

Ask the Chinese that you meet in the US, if they want to return to China.

Please inform us of the answers.

16 ( +20 / -4 )

Beijing has generated an arc of anxiety in Asia but there is a preference for dialogue and negotiations, not saber rattling.”

What has actually happened are a series of unilateral provocations and intimidations. I don't see in China side any sign of serious intent for peaceful dialogue and "win-win" negotiations.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

kurisupisu said "Ask the Chinese that you meet in the US, if they want to return to China."

Why ? China is the most free country and people can choose anywhere to live. Does that surprise you ?

-18 ( +3 / -21 )

noriahojanen said " I don't see in China side any sign of serious intent for peaceful dialogue and "win-win" negotiations."

Did Japan invite China to the table ?

-11 ( +6 / -17 )

Suga govt isn't smart, no questions about it.

-15 ( +3 / -18 )

This back and forth is very surreal, but entertaining in a very sad way.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Minority threats majority, what democracy is that ?

Akie, you are the perfect example of the mindset that keeps bringing these people and nations together to counterbalance the nonsense. Keep on keeping on, cause you do us ALL a big service in the end. xiè xiene, honto ni!

That said, this really can be 'Japans Moment' as it plays its natural role of a cool headed mediator between the great forces at work and pushing up against each other. It may see Japan back as a hyper-relevant player in the rough regional waters ahead. Japan although has its issues, just like any nation, still has an aura of legitimacy and people will listen if Suga decides to take on this role. From what we see so far he may just have the goods to pull it off. That was everyone wins. The world needs more mediators!

Wraither@ Agree, it's time to invite Taiwan in too, but ..... well you know.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Americans can't handle the fact that the height of their imperium has passed and in so many ways they are declining. Their society is about to fracture along ethnic-political lines and they will end up like a giant version of Yugoslavia, circa 1991. Meanwhile China continues to rise.

You can palpably feel the envy.

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

To those saying otherwise in the comments, China was also under the influence of western powers, historically. Call it concessions or colonisation, china was dominated by multiple European powers. Cutting of the Chinese melon? The Opium Wars?

0 ( +7 / -7 )

I prey for the whole free democratic world to unite against this monster. US and allies will hopefully unite again under different strong US leadership and isolate this monster.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Maru, not to argue with you. Your historically isn't historically significant. China has 10,000 years civilization, do you know that ?

-15 ( +2 / -17 )

Ricky Kaminski13, hahaha, please don't hype Japan up. What moment ? If Japan is a poor country, no one would even knock the door, simple as that.

-16 ( +3 / -19 )

Stupid govt does stupid things. So true.

-17 ( +1 / -18 )

@Akie I am not sure you know what you are talking about at all!

13 ( +15 / -2 )

What Suga wouldn't know is that he is uniting 1.4 billion people against Japan !

-16 ( +2 / -18 )

The world is possibly becoming even more unpredictable and uncontrollable 

Ya think?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Funny people like Pompeo keep saying we should support Vietnam and end communist China. Well, Vietnam is a communist country too? And Russia is a democratic nation. CIA double standards at it best, we lie we cheat we steal.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

After reading the article, one cannot help but to say that what the Quad is targeting appears to be counter-intuitive and against conventional wisdom.

Instead of 'increasing their involvement in a regional initiative aimed at countering China’s growing assertiveness', Quad should seek collaboration with China for the benefit of all countries concerned. Why persisting on a lose-lose scenario?..

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Interesting how some posters keep repeating their nonsense of how ancient it's their culture and because of that others should only listen ,I basically come from the culture that created the roman alphabet and is the birth of many cultural things,still this doesn't make me a dozen of thousand years old and for sure not in the position to preach other countries just because "we" came before others.

According to such silly logic people from Australia or New Zealand should have no right to express their thinking and just keep their heads down because they're just a few hundred years old,but truth is that such "new" countries are a bless for the human evolutions and they can give freshness and dynamism to the old countries.

The world goes forward,times change and evolve,so rather than try to preach how old is my culture compare to yours how about to build a modern and fair society based on freedom of press,expression,equality and democracy?

Oh wait,this isn't for sure sneaky communist China,the great exporters of Covid 19.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

The world economy it worked prety well without China until the 1990s.

The main cause of Japanese deflation is cheap goods from China. Japan and developed countries should charge an import tax from China of at least 30% to be fairer.

Anyway, the world could live much better without China.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

Funny that you 'respect' countries where people cannot choose their leaders and have no rights,

Funnier countries that have the right to choose leaders and where people have rights colonize and enslave others.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

China is the most free country and people can choose anywhere to live.

Can the Uighurs locked away in concentration camps choose to live anywhere? No they cant.

Are members of Falun Gong free to practice their belief's? No.

Is Tibet free to rule itself as it wants to? No.

Taiwan wants to remain free from Chinese rule, is that ok with China? No.

Hong Kong wants what China promised in 1997, separate rule with increasing democracy and freedom of all speech. Are they free to have that? No.

China is actually one of the most repressed nations in the world.

Your historically isn't historically significant. China has 10,000 years civilization, do you know that ?

A drop in the historical bucket, it rates 4th in the 7 longest civilizations the world has known.

1. Aboriginal Australians (c. 50,000 years ago – Present)  

Location: Australia

Notable Achievements: Oldest known ritual cremation

https://www.oldest.org/culture/civilizations/

It would seem that some Australians have a civilization "5 times longer" than China. Did you know that?

The Quad is an excellent beginning to help put a stop to Chinese aggression and hegemony plans. As China tries to expand its boarders and take from others it will come up against a resolute group of nations that will show China the error of its hostile ways.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

4 vassal states of the US gather only to discuss China??

Given China has been stealing Japanese seafood, started conflict causing deaths with India, illegally barred Australian trade, and killed thousands of American with the plague, could you think of a better topic of discussion?

7 ( +10 / -3 )

China will never start a hot war, weapons is used only for bullying and intimidating the dupies. The biggest weapon of communist china are "Silent Invasion".

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Quad should seek collaboration with China for the benefit of all countries concerned. Why persisting on a lose-lose scenario?..

LOL, isn't that past tense? Look at the result.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

It’s not sufficient and also senseless to become ‘allies against China’...lol That costs only energy and efforts without use and countable positive outcome. Instead, you have to ignore the other side and you’d better end the dependencies on their economy and build own delivery chains within such an alliance.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Japan is a force for peace and prosperity in Asia.

Withput a powerful Japan, China and the US would've already been at war.

The hatred between the two has grown so deep beyond any reasoning

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

"Force for good" from Pompeo means easy pushover. No doubt they'll simply be proud of the praise here, not the message, as usual.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

China is the most free country and people can choose anywhere to live.

I see. So the facial recognition cameras and internal checkpoints are just for people's safety, then?

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Another one Abe's stupid legacies as he tried to make Japan more relevant in the international stage. Next target of China's wrath will be Japan. There are other ways to counter the Chinese, and Quad is not one of them.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

FreshmeatToday  12:14 pm JST

Funny people like Pompeo keep saying we should support Vietnam and end communist China. Well, Vietnam is a communist country too? 

The problem with China is not that it's communist. The problem is that it is behaviorally fascist. And their aggressive behavior has turned all of Asia against them, including Vietnam which is, as you say, a communist country.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

yesterday it was Russia today it is China tomorrow it will be another country....but keep on arguing because it will really wont make a difference ....

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

In other words another in a long line of LDP stooges who will continue to buy ever increasing larger amounts of weapons from the US and continue to help antagonize the countries necessary to justify their procurement.

It was the CIA who established the LDP with these type of aims in mind.

[ In a major covert operation of the cold war, the Central Intelligence Agency spent millions of dollars to support the conservative party that dominated Japan's politics for a generation.

"This story reveals the intimate role that Americans at official and private levels played in promoting structured corruption and one-party conservative democracy in post-war Japan, and that's new," said John Dower, a leading Japan scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "We look at the L.D.P. and say it's corrupt and it's unfortunate to have a one-party democracy. But we have played a role in creating that misshapen structure." ]

https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/09/world/cia-spent-millions-to-support-japanese-right-in-50-s-and-60-s.html

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

These leaders are absolute idiots. Suga and Pimpeo maskless directly oposite each other in a meeting after the CDC says that indoors 6 feet is not a safe distnce apart. Then the Australian minister and Pinpei take a picture with masks on and no one knows who they are by looking at the picture, what's the point?

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-health-body-6-feet-may-not-be-enough-to-check-virus-spread-indoors-2305674

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Japan should build closer ties with China as its essential! For too long the US has suppressed Asian countries and it’s about time that Asian countries unite! Kick out the US military from occupying land in Japan and save the 200 billion yen ( soon to become 800 billion if President Trump is re-elected ) annually! Use that money on the citizens of Japan! The US should be kept only as friend and not as a master!

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

build friendship with a dictatorship that imprisons muslim minorities in forced labour camps ?

I THINK NOT.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

leave china 1 billion people to India rest 500 million will b handled by Asean nationn han wasnt there feom 10000 years ago

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Capt USAToday  04:26 pm JST

Yes, it was nefarious and not something either government is proud of. I always feel a bit sickened whenever I read about our giving the likes of Kishi and other war criminals the VIP treatment.

No it wasn't nefarious. We were up against the land grabbing USSR. Bad enough that they got in Germany ahead of us. And KIshi can not be called a "war criminal" because he was only held and questioned. Never charged, tried and convicted like the Class A, B and C "War Criminals".

2 ( +4 / -2 )

why everybody is so afraid of China? a country never started any war or invaded any other countries. US shall be the one bullying the whole world...i don't get it..

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

"Force for good" from Pompeo means easy pushover. No doubt they'll simply be proud of the praise here, not the message, as usual.

Utter nonsense! If Suga can forge a strong relationship with the US the way Abe and before him Koizumi did that is a very good thing for the region and both countries.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

let's see the fact here. US has been the big boss for long and each time, there is some other country challenging its position, it stands out framing the challenger and unifying its alliance. But there is nothing can prevent the clock of history. It is inevitable for a 1.4bn populaton of super nation to supersede US, who no matter admits or not, accepts or not, it will happen. So just be peaceful and open-minded.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Na na china encroaching lands of all its neighbors ladakh n arunachal in india Tibet Xingjiang Manchuria Inner Mongollia to name a few n going by Chinese claims historically China is Mongollia’s territory it should b given back to Na na china encroaching lands of all its neighbors ladakh n arunachal in india Tibet Xingjiang Manchuria Inner Mongollia to name a few n going by Chinese claims historically China is Mongollia’s territory it should b given back to Mongollia n china being peaceful n peace loving nation is the biggest bc

3 ( +3 / -0 )

"Force?" Not a lot of force in Mr Suga, I'm afraid. Solid, immovable, yes. But force, no.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

And the LDP, for all its faults, did raise the standard of living of Japanese people to among the highest in the world, after all

What a crock of...That’s what the CCP apologists say, for all its faults, it did raise the standard living of Chinese people and lifted 850 million out of poverty.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Chinese boast their civilization has been around over 5million years. What have they invented accept "GUNPOWDER" ok it was for fire works LMFAO!! That too is a joke but we know everything else they have STOLEN!!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

the bully is on the decline, very few willing to lick its ass. this is the trend now, be clearer with time.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Capt USAToday  04:26 pm JST

-moonbloom

Yes, it was nefarious and not something either government is proud of. I always feel a bit sickened whenever I read about our giving the likes of Kishi and other war criminals the VIP treatment.

But should it not have been done? Sure, with hindsight one can posit that the Cold War might have been won without this or that CIA coup, but one must remember the geopolitical situation in the 50s.

The Soviet Union and its beneficiaries were not much less a threat to the world than Germany and Japan had been, and they certainly didn't play by the rules, so we could hardly afford to, either.

It's far more significant that America, by imposing democratic rule, gave the Japanese people sovereignty over their nation; something their own leaders never did. Not to mention freedom of speech, equality of women, etc.

Yes clearly it is so truly democratic here that posts on news websites with factual but 'inconvenient' information are deleted. How right your are.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Chinese boast their civilization has been around over 5million years. What have they invented accept "GUNPOWDER" ok it was for fire works LMFAO!!

Never heard of paper? The compass? You really should study more about what China created.

China up to about 200 years ago was the most developed civilization on earth. The CCP are a blot on that history. I hope to see a China free of these corrupt scumbags and then take its place as one of the world’s great nations.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I hope to see a China free of these corrupt scumbags and then take its place as one of the world’s great nations.

Well, we definitely won’t be seeing it in our lifetime that’s for sure.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Lies can't change reality, only perceptions of it, thus make people fools.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

Easy to see the CCP supporters on here they glowing RED, the 5 eyes, maybe soon the 4 eyes NZ likely will be excluded if adern gets back in, hence the quad nations.

But hey together everyone is strong, alone china bullies all its neighbors so unite and crush the bully or listen to the reds on here and in the world.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

englisc aspyrgend, hahaha, when apple falls, it comes down to the earth. Now you can call me "Just blind obedience."

Get it ? Truth is truth, as lies are lies.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Disclaimer: Just on a funny side without any intent to hurt anyone feeling.

But can you imagine Suga-san with a face mask representing the Japanese flag like Pompeo?

(would fit POTUS probably better actually)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ask the Chinese that you meet in the US, if they want to return to China.

Of course they want to return to China, at least for a visit with family, but until the CCP leaders are gone, they are afraid. Most people love visiting their families, even in dangerous parts of the world.

Mainland China is only dangerous if you have said anything against that govt or aren't Han-Chinese. Just ask the Uighurs or Tibetans or book sellers in Hong Kong.

China has done many great things over history. The CCP being in power is a negative, but average Chinese have their access to news so filtered and they are constantly shown propaganda that they know to be false, but they don't let it bother them unless it is important. Every once in a while, average Chinese people raise up and let the CCP-govt know they've lied too much. OTOH, the last 20 years, average, hard working, Chinese on the mainland have seen more and more economic growth. Hard to blame them for experiencing this and not being too upset in the leaders who escorted the economic gains.

Taiwanese want to rejoin China too, but only if the mainland becomes free, democratic and open.

I see the 五毛 is active today.

Pompeo needs help tying his tie. That is just about the ugliest knot I've seen, ever, by anyone over 12 yrs old.

I can see a prosperous future for Japan, Taiwan, China, and all of Asia with world-wide trade. As long as the CCP are in power inside China, that will not happen.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Both Pompeo and Suga would be genuine 'force for good' if they will give full diplomatic recognition to TW-ROC asap!

Sans such simple moral and ethical move both sadly are sincere 'force for evil' coz they only give da-kine diplomatic love to Beijington !

It's like da-kine movie 'From Washingjing and Tokyojing with Love!' starring Sugasean Pompery!

Sayonara Jidi Taiwan, Hello Darth Pompeo and Suga Bader!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Actually to be correct the ROC has only been around since 1949.

Nope. The Republic of China was founded in 1911 and its first President was Dr. Sun Yat-Sen.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I hope to see a China free of these corrupt scumbags and then take its place as one of the world’s great nations.

Well, we definitely won’t be seeing it in our lifetime that’s for sure.

Don't be so sure. The old USSR looked nearly invincible to many right up until the day Boris Yeltsin stood on top of that tank in Moscow. I expect that Xi Jinping may be the last General Secretary of the CCP and he will be replaced in my lifetime by a different form of government. He has picked too many fights with too many groups both inside and outside China. Nobody can juggle that many sharp knives forever without dropping some. Remember he has made himself President and General Secretary for life while suspending the former age limits on the members of the Central Committee. He owns everything that happens in China. As soon as he drops a few knives and looks weak he will be swept away and replaced. Dictators like him have no popular support and once their power is in question they have no one who will defend them. It will end for him like it did for Nicolae Ceausescu. Looking forward to the video.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

U.S. meets with "Quad" Indo-Pacific partners, with China at top of agenda:

Most unfortunately, by emphasizing his anti-China stance, the new Japan premier continues to live in the shadow of US, just like his predecessor did. Maybe he simply has no other tangible option at the moment.. He could certainly do better..

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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