politics

Abe turns to Southeast Asia to counter China

13 Comments
By Linda Sieg and Jonathan Thatcher

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Abe is great! If China goes unchecked they will do what Germany did in WWI and WWII - massive land expansion.

This is what happens to students who cram for history tests using their stoner friend's notes.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Abe is great! If China goes unchecked they will do what Germany did in WWI and WWII - massive land expansion. China's economy is starting to stagnate and already signs of economic slowdown has affected the world economy.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1ead6442-16b6-11e2-b1df-00144feabdc0.html

Imperialism and expansion - China will utilize that to offset their economic woes. That has ALWAYS been the way countries dealt with economic stagnation. Cheap energy sources and raw materials equals economic development.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I think Finance Minister Taro Aso went to Myanmar early this month as part of Japan’s push to tap the potential of the country’s opening up to the outside world.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Prime Minister Abe must be very sensitive and considerate showing extreme diplomacy in the relationship with Southeast Asia partly because of historical circumstances. He needs to promote stability and prosperity in the region. The Asia Pacific Group and Association of Southeast Asian Nation will be good for the stability and prosperity of Southeast Asia. Over the long run Japan should probably set up a free trade zone area and broaden the sphere of economic cooperation in Southeast Asia and play a larger role in the world and in regional affairs. Hence Japan should continue to provide economic development in Southeast Asia and take a leading role to promote regional economic cooperation in Southeast Asia.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

We do not want beggars at our doorstep, only allies who are willing to fight for their rights. Senkaku belongs to Japan. Japan must show that it can lead the fight. The US will stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies in the South China Sea and with Japan. But, as is our new modus operandi, America will "lead from behind" until the matter clearly becomes our own fight for hegemony.

It is truly humbling to know that little ol' me can have a Back and Forth with no other than United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on JT. I would have thought such a figure would only discuss such matters at the Harvard Kennedy Center, etc. but no!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The US presidential staff knew full well that a new prime minister would "dearly desire" to come to the US as soon as possible to pay homage and secure guarantees. From January 2012 until this last minute, the president's desk could have been arranged differently to accommodate the new prime minister. Why didn't we? Because we did not want a beggar on our doorstep, asking us to take the lead against China on such a parochial matter as the Senkakus.

Abe knows what he has to do before he comes to America with his hand out. He has to align the ASEAN countries into a worthy security coalition, regardless of how many economic and military guarantees he has to provide these allies. Only then will we allow Abe to come here and speak with the president regarding what Japan wants and what Japan is willing to do.

We do not want beggars at our doorstep, only allies who are willing to fight for their rights. Senkaku belongs to Japan. Japan must show that it can lead the fight. The US will stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies in the South China Sea and with Japan. But, as is our new modus operandi, America will "lead from behind" until the matter clearly becomes our own fight for hegemony.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Good move by the Japanese government. Would've been good even if there had not been any trouble with China. Japan has had too many eggs in one basket for too long now.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I think that Abe has over estimated his and japan's ability to pursure South easten countries to counter China. China has built pretty solid relationship with most South easten countries even though China has territory issues with Phillipine and Vetnanm. It is very hard for Asian people to fully trust and accept japan because its brutality during WWII. Even in the surface Asian people admire japan for its generousity (give out money) but in their heart, they do not like japan to be strong again. Do not count some politician in phillipine who want japan to help its country to fend out China in the dispute, real phillipine people do not support such notion. japan, you do have a lot of good people but you also have some nasty and crizypeople as well. The action and will against China will never success because China is so big, so sophisticated, and so capable. History has displayed that China will be never conqured by outsider but China can melt you in the long run, japan (even though you have temporarily occupied China before). Remember, reality is painful.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I think that Abe has over estimated his and japan's ability to pursure South easten countries to counter China. China has built pretty solid relationship with most South easten countries even though China has territory issues with Phillipine and Vetnanm. It is very hard for Asian people to fully trust and accept japan because its brutality during WWII. Even in the surface Asian people admire japan for its generousity (give out money) but in their heart, they do not like japan to be strong again. Do not count some politician in phillipine who want japan to help its country to fend out China in the dispute, real phillipine people do not support such notion. japan, you do have a lot of good people but you also have some nasty and crizypeople as well. The action and will against China will never success because China is so big, so sophisticated, and so capable. History has displayed that China will be never be conqured be outsider but China can melt you in the long run, japan. Remember, reality is painful.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Yes, we will ensure your success, but we will not fight your fight. And if you give up one inch of the Senkakus, we will honor our word and help defend what remains of Japan...but our heart won't be in it, because you will have lost face.

Someone better alert the US State Department that vital and sensitive foreign policy is being leaked on JT from someone high up.

Either that or an English teacher...

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Agree with above posters . . . . . .A Foreign Policy move that was long time i n the coming !! . . . . .

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Abe is doing the right thing. If China goes unchecked they will do what Germany did in WWI and WWII - massive land expansion. China's economy is starting to stagnate. < http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1ead6442-16b6-11e2-b1df-00144feabdc0.html> Imperialism and expansion - China will utilize that to offset their economic woes.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Glad to see Japan stepping up and taking the lead on this. That's America's new modus operandi. Note how we left Mali to the French, because Mali is more important to French interests than to our own. Note how we left intervention in Libya to French, Italian and UK forces, because their own economic interests were tied to Libya. Now, take note of how we're keeping hands off Syria while letting Turkey and NATO take the lead.

Now, back to Japan, as it forges military alliances with Southeast Asia and India to contain China. Brilliant. You have to do this. The US is here to help, but we will not take the lead while everyone else enjoys prosperity as we waste our national treasure in fighting other people's fights. Yes, we will ensure your success, but we will not fight your fight. And if you give up one inch of the Senkakus, we will honor our word and help defend what remains of Japan...but our heart won't be in it, because you will have lost face.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

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