Japan says it is seeking closer ties with U.S. after Biden's win affirmed

Do you really think that China would take over Okinawa and that hordes of Chinese tourists would flood beaches and resort spots here as invaders unless the Henoko relocation is realized? Of course, Chinese tourists are always welcome as far as they are tourists.

Slickdrifter Dec. 16 06:41 pm JST,

Both Tokyo and Washington say the function of USMC Air Station Futenma must be relocated to Henoko, Nago City, Okinawa and not anywhere else in Japan. The reasons they give us for the relocation plan are: (1) the air station in question is most dangerous and hazardous to area residents at the current site , and (2) the deterrence the base is capable of must be maintained without any hitch.

Yes, the base is very dangerous to the densely populated residential area that is surrounding the base closely by. But if it's so dangerous, why don't they close it right then and there and return the land immediately with no strings attached? The reason why they won't do so is the deterrence, which they say must be maintained, not impaired nor reduced.

The question to ask then is: Does the closure of USMC Air Station Futenma and the unconditional return of the land affect the U.S. Marine's deterrence capability?

Note that it's been bilaterally agreed that the most active elements of Okinawa-based Marines are to relocate to Guam, where the construction of infrastructure for them to station there is underway. It's also been bilaterally agreed that primary responsibility to defend Japan's territory rests with JSDF and not with the USFJ,

Under such circumstances, why is it necessary to build Futenma's replacement, a training base integral with Camp Schwab, Camp Hansen and Northern Training Area, aka Jungle Warfare Training Center?

Do you really think that China would take over Okinawa and that hordes of Chinese tourists would flood beaches and resort spots here as invaders?

Desert TortoiseToday  06:03 am JST

And, yes, many Japanese would love to get rid of the U.S. military presence here, but at the same time, REALLY don't want any more Chinese aggression either.

Maybe the only nation in Asia that wants to see US forces leave Japan are the Chinese. Pretty much every other nation in Asia greatly prefers to see US forces in Japan to relieve Japan of the necessity of fully re-arming.

No, Japan does not want the US to leave. Individuals may, but not the J-govt. Only because the alternative, to fully expand their own military, to develop offensive and likely nuclear weapons, to take actions and responsibilities internationally are all undesirable to them. All other Asian nations, excluding China and S/N Korea couldn't care less about Japan remilitarizing. In fact they they are openly supporting it. Even Australia and India have no issues. WWII is not as big an issue as China and the Koreas would like to have the world believe. But there is no question that Japan would not "replace" the sheer size and power of the US military which is looked upon as the only viable counter to China's expansion.

And, yes, many Japanese would love to get rid of the U.S. military presence here, but at the same time, REALLY don't want any more Chinese aggression either.

Maybe the only nation in Asia that wants to see US forces leave Japan are the Chinese. Pretty much every other nation in Asia greatly prefers to see US forces in Japan to relieve Japan of the necessity of fully re-arming.

I think many on here love to rip on the U.S.-Japan relationship as being one-sided (especially the Europeans) in favor of America, but keep in mind, Japan has run a really big trade surplus with America pretty much forever. Japan gets to keep exporting its goods to America, while 'diplomatically' refusing to buy too much American imports and, in return, gets a bit cowed by the U.S. military presence. The trade surplus with America always hovers around $50bn-$80bn a year.

A survey of Americans and Japanese would probably show that as many Americans think the relationship is as one sided in favor of Japan as the Japanese might consider the relationship as one sided in favor of the US. The whole appeal of Donald Trump was his argument that America's trade relationships were all on sided working against the US. This is a widely held opinion in the US, regardless of any facts involved.

At least Biden will be consistent and the traditional U.S. allies will be more closely allied with the U.S. than with Trump, who was mercurial and ridiculously undisciplined and unorganized.

I think many on here love to rip on the U.S.-Japan relationship as being one-sided (especially the Europeans) in favor of America, but keep in mind, Japan has run a really big trade surplus with America pretty much forever. Japan gets to keep exporting its goods to America, while 'diplomatically' refusing to buy too much American imports and, in return, gets a bit cowed by the U.S. military presence. The trade surplus with America always hovers around $50bn-$80bn a year.

https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5880.html

And, yes, many Japanese would love to get rid of the U.S. military presence here, but at the same time, REALLY don't want any more Chinese aggression either.

What did Obama do for Japan? Anything beneficiary?

You cite and article written when Hu Jintao was General Secretary of the CCP and President of the PRC. During the second Hu administration there were discussions of allowing private land ownership and experiments with competitively elected municipal governments in some small communities, testing the waters to see if the Chinese could handled electing their leaders. It was a time of great hope that China really was changing. Xi Jinping replaced Hu Jintao and soon revealed himself to be a despot and Communist true believer more in the mold of Mao than of Deng.

I recall the Obama administration through the Secretary of Defense making a clear statement that defending the Senkaku Islands fell within the US Japan mutual defense treaty. There was also the Pivot to the Pacific begun during Mr. Obama's second term after Chairman Xi came to power and revealed himself as something quite different from his predecessor. I will also add that much of the new weapons we see coming on line in the Navy and Air Force entered development a decade ago as part of the Pivot to the Pacific. Xi motivated the US to spend a lot of money developing weapons to counter those we saw China developing. You will see changes coming to the Marine Corps addressed specifically at challenging China in the maritime environment that affect how the US defends both Japan, especially their many islands, and Taiwan. A funny aside but those new LCS ships the crusty old salts who long ago retired from the US Navy love to run down and criticize as Little Crappy Ships? Well the Asians and especially the Chinese see them as a significant future threat. They know the US Navy is going to arm them up over time (already happening with installation of JSM missiles) and that they can go places and do things conventional frigates can't. A lot of stuff the US is just bringing on line has people in Beijing up late at night, and most of it was first begun a decade ago in response to Xi's aggression.

"We hope to make Japan-U.S. relations even stronger and to work even more closely with President-elect Biden to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

Through the above statement, Kato implied two things: Japan now can leave their four difficult years working with Trump behind and hope that under the Biden administration, the US will continue to be tough on China in the Indo-Pacific region.

Diplomacy, every country is making polite comments. All are waiting to see what his actual policies turn out to be rather than the hand waving and rhetoric of getting elected.

Japan is in a slightly different position to most countries as their constitution limits their ability to defend them selves so are more reliant on the US umbrella.

Given his age, how long will it be a Biden presidency? While he may last out the full term, at his age it is not a certainty. Also he will not have the mental or physical capacity or vigour of a younger man (sadly just an inevitable fact of age we all face).

Perhaps Japan should curry favour wire his Vice?

@gokai_wo_mane Japan and China will never be friends. But I guess we both love to see a diversified America, for better or worse.

@voiceforokinawa.

No. I was being sarcastic. But if the bases close. My comment is one possible future for your lands and seas.

However, Biden will push for re-locations and he will back down the joint exercises between our two countries. Its back to the previous Obama amin tactics. What did Obama do for Japan? Anything beneficiary?

Not so long ago.

https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/11/opinion/11iht-edcohen.html

Slickdrifter,

Do you want to say that should Marine bases be closed and the Marines pack up and go home, hordes of Chinese tourists would come and flood Okinawa beaches and resorts? And Chinese fishing boats would fish in the waters near Okinawa, depleting blue water fish stocks?

And you also want to say that, therefore, those U.S. bases are needed to prevent such abomination from coming true?

Did you look at those “People” at Mar-a-Lago?

Who would want to be around THOSE freaks, lmao

Each nation under the Biden administration is looking for better relations with the U.S. and some are even hoping for tighter bonds. And China, because of its misadventures and its rising illegal activities around the world, is going to be under further sanctions.

How could Japan get any closer? Become the 51st State?

Even I have to admit, that was weirded funny....

The Japanese must be quietly ecstatic about seeing the back of the orange hennagaijin slouching off into the Maga-Lago sunset.

Wait a moment... not so fast!!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/donald-trumps-america/300185382/donald-trumps-maralago-neighbours-tell-him-to-spend-his-postpresidency-days-elsewhere

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hohzrU86RU0

@voiceforokinawa

Do not worry, base closures will come under Biden. Year two I predict Futemea will go.. Biden does not want its chief investor (China) feeling threatened. But on the flip side of this. Is Okinawa ready for the influx of Chinese tourist flooding your beaches and resorts after Covid? And Chinese finishing vessels fishing your seas depleting your ocean fish stocks? Luckily you do not have train systems where they tautly disregard Japanese train equites. Do not worry. I think you get your wish. Just good luck with North Korean ghost ships washing ashore and Chinese robbing Okinawa waters blind of all the sea food.

There’s that annoying voice again, thinking it speaks for everyone

Japan is seeking to strengthen ties with the United States and work closely toward realizing its vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Tuesday,

Well Mr. Secretary, In order to achieve the free Indo-Pacific region your so motivated to come to fruition.

Its going to take sanctions and military muscle flexing and maybe even go beyond the norm. I am afraid sir with an incoming President like Joe Biden. You are not going to the ear to bend on like you have with the current outgoing President who was willing help you accomplish your goals.

Tokyo believes there will be no change in its strong relationship with Washington-

Are you kidding me? Biden will make a point to dismantle and undo everything Trump launched in and strike new deals. Like regulating weapon sales. The current tariffs creating more challenges for Japan and more encroachments will come for Japan. Remember, Biden allies with China with his sons interest in mind. Biden wants said through Dean Baker Mr. Biden wants. Would like to get some quid pro quo going with China. Biden will will push China to do something on the currency, raise the value of China’s currency relative to the dollar. That will improve our trade balance. But, hopefully, that’s something that can be worked out fairly quickly. But we have more long-term and bigger issues that we have to deal with, with China. Did you catch it? Raise the the Chinese currency. No time to get into why this a bad for Japan but it will be.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said he hopes to "quickly liaise" with Biden's Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken once he is formally appointed and work together in many fields to bolster bilateral ties.

Again dream on. Blinken's stance on Japan. Blinken said at a forum, he could have the added benefit of confronting another top diplomatic challenge: competing with China by choosing multilateral efforts to advance trade, technology investments and human rights — instead of forcing individual nations to choose between the two superpowers’ economies.

Again, Do not expect Blinken to be a friend of Japan. Allied with China again. No one wants to take a stand against China. Not in this new incoming administration. Really wishful thinking. best get rid of Suga and the current line up for some Japan hardliners that can make demands on the USA.

Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said he anticipates Lloyd Austin, Biden's pick for defense secretary, "would greatly contribute to further developing the strong Japan-U.S. relations."

Saying Austin has great expertise in the defense and security fields, Kishi voiced his intent to hold talks, including a teleconference, with Austin soon after he assumes his post.

These convos will go something like this. Trump make Japan many promise. We are so worried we can not get what he promise Japan now with Biden san. Hence the urgent phone calls and anxiety to spek and find out where Japan stands with Biden.

Good luck Mr. Secretary, Mark my words, Biden is not friend of Japan.

Remember Obama? Just only, like worse.

Vowing to strengthen military ties with the incoming Biden government means Tokyo wants to keep the status quo involving the SOFA and SACO, and hence the Futenma relocation issue will remain unchanged despite Okinawa's strong protest. That's not strengthening the bilateral relations but being like a moth flying into the flame, letting Okinawa remain a U.S. military colony forever. Wouldn't the U.S. side welcome it as the best Japan can ask for?

Only way Japan can get closer is by moving into the West Wing.

I guess TPP could be back on the cards.

Oligarch heaven.

I would be too.

Japan is worried they’ll be sacrificed to china...just wait for it.

Very good news , US will raise again and democratic countries must stand up against dictatorships. Well done !!!

Everyone already forget the Abe-Trump bromance?

Or Koizumi-Bush

Those are not bromances. More like Man and man's best friend.

Seeks closer ties?"

How could Japan get any closer? Become the 51st State?

LOL!! Nice one Bertie! Pretty much! Yeah!

Owwwww Japan wants to be friends! So cute, so needy.

Yeah Japan is like a creepy spurned girlfriend looking to rekindle a past fling. Might be best for the US to let Japan go its own way

certainly sounds like it!

Japan's economy might improve under Biden, but the US economy will likely decline under Biden. Biden has so many poor economic policies planned for the US.

When wasn't Japan "seeking closer ties with U.S.". Calling it an independent country and a democracy to boot is beyond ridiculous.

Everyone already forget the Abe-Trump bromance?

Or Koizumi-Bush

In terms of Japan - US Diplomacy it means : Pants down, bend over a bit more.

...seeking closer ties with U.S.

BIG MISTAKE! The USA is rapidly sinking. Japan needs to join China, which is rapidly rising. Of course there are some things the Chinese government does what we don't like, but it is the same with the USA government.

Japan has been following US directives in the past decades. The two nations are already very close all this while, where is the need to seek closer relationship anymore, especially with an old and known political leader?

Japan needs to grow a pair and end this fawning, passive-aggressive relationship it has with the US.

Owwwww Japan wants to be friends! So cute, so needy.

Yeah Japan is like a creepy spurned girlfriend looking to rekindle a past fling. Might be best for the US to let Japan go its own way

@ u_s__reamer

Not only Japan, most of the world with the exception of a few countries.

This isn't news. Every country is looking for better ties with the U.S. under the Biden administration. Oh, except maybe Israel. But the change in the POTUS isn't going to make anything "better" for China's Emperor Xi. Or for Putin, who hacks our government agencies while sending congratulations. America will bi longer be lead by an idiot.

Owwwww Japan wants to be friends! So cute, so needy.

Well with the permission from CCP , China will decide and direct Japan what is the rate relationship US

So do to Biden..

What a world is going to be from now..

But LDP is far right, what do they except from democrats ?

You’ve just shown how much further right the current American administration is.

The Japanese must be quietly ecstatic about seeing the back of the orange hennagaijin slouching off into the Maga-Lago sunset.

"Seeks closer ties?"

How could Japan get any closer? Become the 51st State?

First time I have read something acurate for some time now. " when affirmed".

Usually it is inaccurately reported as "president elect ".

Whatver the ties from whoever the president of America, US gets 70% profit from Japan whereas 20-30% for Japan.

"We hope to make Japan-U.S. relations even stronger"

When does the LDP not say this?- Everyone already forget the Abe-Trump bromance?

I wonder who is picked for the US ambassador to Japan.