Iraq dilemma stirs Japanese resentment of U.S. ties

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/T292848.htm

TOKYO, April 19 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has survived a crisis over civilian hostages in Iraq with his popularity ratings unscathed, but the five-decade-old U.S.-Japan security alliance may not be so lucky.

Beneath the relief at the release of the five hostages, resentment is simmering over what many Japanese see as an unequal alliance in which Washington calls all the shots, including Japan's dispatch of troops to Iraq.

"The mood at the moment is that Japan has to hang on to the alliance with America, but this is tinged with resentment among those who most advocate it," said Columbia University political science professor Gerald Curtis.

"The feeling on the right is that Japan has to say 'yes' to what America wants because it's not strong enough to say 'no'."

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[renegade000]

1. dammit

can clinton just come back now?

[ugarte]

2. Exactly what does Japan have to be afraid of?

That Bush would get mad and pull U.S. troops out of Okinawa?

Like that might encourage a billion Chinese to get in boats and invade?

[2Design]

4. we don't allow them to defend themselves

The constitution that was written after wwII does not allow them to defend themselves.

They feel they have to work with usa in order to get the usa to defend them if or when that becomes necessary.

Hard when you are in a dependency role to have to comply with the more powerful 'parent' and have to do their will in order to feel safe.

Interesting, never realized how some countries in not being allowed to defend themselves become dependent on others to defend them.

[David__77]

3. They are strong enough to say "no," but must realign.

If they developed stronger ties with China and other Asian countries, they certainly could be independent in their policies. They would no longer require foreign troops on their soil. People in Japan could feel pride in their country--independent and non-aggressive.