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Editorial Team: The NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy has responded to your questions and policy recommendations! In this second installment, he discusses NATO’s stance in Asia and how new powers like China and India impact the Alliance’s goals.
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Editorial Team: The NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy has responded to your questions and policy recommendations! In this first of two installments, he answers questions about cooperation with countries touched by the Arab Spring, discusses an Atlantic Memo proposal for a Global Partnership Council, and many more.
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Memo 36: The European Union must reach out to Asian partners and become a credible player on issues other than trade. A strong EU-Asia policy can contribute to stability and advance Europe’s overall political, economic, and security interests.
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Memo 33: To remain effective in a multi-polar world, NATO should strengthen its collaborative ties with Asia. The Alliance must strive to make China more partner than rival, develop a multilateral plan for stability in Central Asia and Afghanistan, and strengthen existing regional partnerships.
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Birgit Hütten: Most Germans support replacing nuclear energy with renewables. But renewable energy is expensive, and many who live near production facilities oppose it. Now, Germany must reconcile the social desirability of green energy with individual citizens’ opposition to its enormous costs.
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Brahma Chellaney: Never before have China, India, and Japan been powerful at the same time, yet now they make up the strategic trio that is central to the region’s future. Asia houses the fastest growing markets, fastest-rising military expenditures, and the most volatile hot spots. Thus, these main three actors must find a way to reconcile their interests in Asia.
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Birgit Hütten: Japan, like no other country, has been successful in implementing enormous changes to its political and social structure. The way to modernization and its impact on Afghanistan are vital factors for the development of other Asian countries.
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E. Ben Heine: The stability of Kim Jong-Il’s regime has depended to a significant degree on financial and material support from Japan’s North Korean minority. This paper analyses the history and organization of North Koreans living in Japan and outlines its significance in future Japan-DPRK relations.
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Gaelle Christine Fisher: As it becomes - supposedly - obvious that China might one day “rule the world,” it’s urgent we take a look at the facts behind the fears, and reassess our expectations.
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Henrik Schmiegelow: I warn that Asia is building pillars to support a future international order. Reacting to the functional integration and regional community-building led by ASEAN and the big three—China, Japan, and India—will be “the West’s greatest challenge.”
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Joseph S. Nye: We cannot overlook Japan as a global powerhouse. How its people and government respond to emerging China will be “one of the great questions for this century.”
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Thomas Palley: China is not the only Asian economy perpetuating trade deficits. Japan’s rock-bottom interest rates also play a part.
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Global Must Read Articles
The United States’ new endeavor in Asia comes across as a collection of incoherent contradictions. ++ The US wishes closer ties with China at the same time presidential candidates castigate Chinese trade policies. ++ The US claims the American ‘pivot’ isn’t aimed at China even as the US forges defense ties ringing the Chinese mainland. ++ The US is trying to play honest broker between China and
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The chairman of the investigation into the Fukushima disaster lays much of the blame on the shortcomings of Japanese culture. ++ Japan’s famous alliance of bureaucracy and big business allows for substandard regulations. ++ However, focusing too much on culture might shift responsibility from those people actually responsible. ++ The problems identified in the final report are all too common in
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China is locked in territorial disputes with its neighbors. ++ China is quarreling with Japan over the Senkaku Islands and with the Philippines over Scarborough Shoal, both of which are far outside of China’s territorial waters. ++ China is dangerously close to declaring the entire South China Sea as its own. ++ Increasing Chinese military activity frightens nearby countries. ++ Unless it
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The leaders of China, South Korea and Japan agreed to launch talks to lay down the foundations for a trilateral free-trade agreement (FTA). ++ Together the economies currently constitute 20% of global economic output and are very likely to surpass the EU’s 28% share of total world GDP with the FTA. ++ However, tensions with North Korea pose the greatest threat to continued economic
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US military budget cuts will hinder Obama’s new strategic focus on Asia. ++ American allies worry that a ‘leaner’ military will weaken US resolve in the region at the exact same time China is growing more assertive. ++ They also fear that US focus on Asia might not outlast the Obama presidency. ++ Countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Australia have improved their military
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The emergence of China as a global power has fundamentally changed the geo-political landscape of Southeast Asia. China, US and Japan are making significant efforts to cooperate and work in tandem with ASEAN to “maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the region”. As this report by the Institue for Security and Development illustrates, Southeast Asia represents, in many ways, a battleground
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Japan’s prime minister resigned Friday, becoming the sixth Japanese leader to step down in the past five years. ++ Already beset with $200 billion in reconstruction costs after the terrible March earthquake, Tokyo also faces a looming demographic crisis and now a leadership vacuum with implications reaching across Asia. ++ As the world’s third largest economy, Japan must stop
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The dispute over the Kurile Islands has been blown way out of proportion recently. ++ Russian diplomats are not too concerned about Tokyo’s recall of its ambassador from Moscow. ++ Much of the outcry over President Medvedev’s visit to the islands is due to domestic Japanese politics. ++ The ruling party is using the incident to shore up its patriotic credentials. ++ Moreover, economic
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A number of states from Latin America and Asia have engaged in currency devaluations of late in order to help their export businesses. ++ Sanctions are also used for political purposes, as in the case of Iran. ++ Now a Chinese move sent “shivers around Asia and into the Pentagon,” as Beijing curtailed the sale of rare-materials to Japan’s high-tech industry. ++ This trade spate
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The recent row between China and Japan over the detention of a Chinese boat captain points out to “structural, strategic and institutional” tension in the relationship. ++ With China’s increasing ascendancy, the rift between the two countries is bound to widen in the years ahead. ++ The growing influence of the People’s Liberation Army in China’s strategic and foreign
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The resignation of yet another Japanese prime minister points to problems in the Japanese political system. ++ Japanese politicians rise to power through their affiliation with rich families.++ The political system remains “stuck in the old-fashioned status quo of the bureaucrats-politicians-business trinity governing.” ++ Japan’s press was instrumental in bringing down Mr.
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Japan’s new PM Yukio Hatoyama has been spelling out his political philosophy this week. ++ “Japan would seek to temper the turbulence of globalization by promoting the free market and would take moral leadership on the world stage by aiding poor countries in their fight against climate change.” ++ This fresh approach is named ‘yuai’ and is a huge step forward. ++ “It is an
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There is nothing worse than Japan’s new PM’s vision of economic nationalism and protectionism. ++ As an exporting country with a weak domestic economy, Tokyo relies on other nations maintaining free markets to ensure corporate profits for Toyota, Sony, Panasonic and the rest of Japan’s economic giants. ++ Although Japan’s 100 million voters have given Hatoyama four years to prove that he
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Despite the probable shift of power at the upcoming elections in Japan, “the most uncomfortable issue” of immigration policy is tuned out. ++ The lack of policy and the increasing aging of the population will soon lead to a crash in the Japanese economy. ++ “The signs of decrepitude are numerous” as China takes over as the biggest Asian economy and “an unexpected
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Investment, not charity, is the key to ensuring food security. ++ Japan will make a new proposal to “promote responsible foreign investment in agriculture, in the face of so-called ‘land grabs’ - the growing trend for large-scale investment in farmland across the developing world” at the G8
Summit in Italy on Friday. ++ In the face of an unprecedented threat to food supply, concerned parties
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A push for Wall Street banks to be turned into heavily regulated, “talent-deficient” public utilities would see them take fewer investment risks, leading to lower economic growth and higher long-term unemployment. ++ A no-risk system fails to support start-up innovators and small businesses. ++ A push for simplified capital markets ignores the fact that today’s system solved a decade of
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In China signs of the crisis are highly visible: abandoned factories and container ships, bankruptcies, massive migration to the Chinese countryside, and ironically clean air. Due to the large quantities of goods produced in China, which currently find no buyers, the country seems to suffer more under today’s economic situation than any other. Many, therefore, consider this the end of the Chinese
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Japan fears abandonment. ++ The US has tried to reassure it by making it the first stop on Clinton’s tour and receiving PM Aso as the first foreign dignitary in Washington, but this does not suffice. ++ Tokyo has difficulty in adapting to the evolution of the international system and cannot cope with China’s rise and the Sino-American rapprochement. ++ The economic crisis and the
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Leaders of the three largest economies should meet up in Hawaii. ++ There has never before been a summit for the US, Japan and China, but the time has come. ++ Japan needs to break its political marginalization towards China, Americans must stop trying to divide Asia, and China is ready to take its place on the world stage. ++ In this crisis, nationalistic tendencies must be resisted. ++ Take
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Japan’s experience in the 1990s is no longer seen simply as a terrible recession but has become an example of how to recover from the current financial crisis. ++ What conclusions can be drawn to rescue our economies? ++ The balance-sheet deflation inside the US is far shallower than in Japan in the 1990s, but the global implications of the current crisis are far greater. ++ The US will not be
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Obama spoke of sacrifice, but the only ones sacrificing are the Chinese, Japanese and Saudis who fund America’s debt. ++ These countries are the sole creditor nations able to buy bonds to finance the spending expected by Americans. ++ Once they have invested, these creditors will be trapped, as any attempt to rid themselves of the bonds will collapse their value. ++ America is bloated: 5% of
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Japan adds itself to less than 20 developed countries open to refugees under resettlement programs. ++ Since 1981 Japan has accepted 451 refugees. ++ Over the next 3 years, 30 refugees per year will be accepted from Burma into camps in Thailand. ++ This number is too small; the Burmese should be allowed to establish their own community in Japan in order not to feel isolated. ++ Plans for teaching
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Samurai-philosopher Fukuzawa’s longstanding notion that Japan should “leave Asia and enter the West” is likely to fade in 2009. ++ “Tokyo needs to diversify diplomatic and economic relations.” ++ Ruling party LDP may soon be replaced by opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), who advocate multilateral cooperation. ++ “Japan’s efforts to establish the East Asian Community - a proposed economic
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“Japan’s near-total opposition to participating in its allies’ military struggles is no longer defensible.” ++ Having made an “easy transition to democracy” after World War Two and now enjoying economic success and stability, Japan has no justification for shying away from the same responsibilities as its counterparts. ++ “Robust Japanese
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Under Bush, the State Department, Defense Department, and White House fought over the War on Terror. ++ Clinton and Obama fought in the primaries, which does not bode well for their cooperation. ++ The Clinton administration of the 90’s took a hard-line position on Japan, while being light on China. ++ This apparent double standard may continue, and could threaten stability in Asia. ++ Japan must
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Japan’s central bank has reacted to last weeks rise of the yen as well as to the falling stock market by cutting interest rates. ++ If Japan decides to move towards “zero interest” it would become the “source of almost free money for anyone with an appetite to invest.” ++ The US is faced with a smiliar situtation as the Federal Reserve has also been cutting rates, giving
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30 years after the signing of the Japan-China Peace and Friendship Treaty, the two countries are now more than ever in a position to create positive change in Asia and abroad. ++ The two countries can cooperate on “the regional financial crisis; nuclear disarmament of North Korea; global warming; and creating a regional immediate response system for natural disasters or infectious diseases.” ++
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Japan’s Lower House is expected to approve a bill extending the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. ++ The presiding committee failed to use this opportunity to discuss other important foreign policy issues, such as contributions to Afghanistan and the deteriorating situation in Pakistan, the primary recipient of Japanese fuel. ++ Instead, “the two-day
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The US is following a pattern similar to Japan’s financial crisis in the 1990s, but ignoring the principles and method with which to handle it. ++ Unlimited liquidity in the market is needed and the world should help share the burden. ++ The US must ask the global community to provide $5 trillion for troubled financial institutions. ++ This should come from those who have collected dollar
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The Japanese government is asking to be granted permanent authority over the use of military force. ++ Currently every foreign deployment of troops requires separate legislative approval and is bound by strict legal parameters. ++ While accountability and transparency in the process of authorizing military engagement has improved in most democracies, the proposal would amount to a carte blanche,
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Due to unilateral export restrictions imposed by grain producing countries, the Japanese government recently raised the price of imported wheat it sells to flour-milling companies by 30%. ++ The surge is expected to be passed on to the consumer soon. ++ Grain producers should provide a stable supply, if they want access to farm markets in other nations, and Japan should play a leading role in
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Japan increasingly faces a dilemma in its relationship with China. ++ On the one hand intensifying already close economic relations with China is vital for the continued recovery of Japan’s own economy. ++ On the other hand China’s growth gives it greater regional power at the expense of Japanese influence, and creates new security concerns. ++ Japan should confidently embrace its “role as a
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Japan and Russia’s planned cooperation in fields of energy, transportation, and the environment require settling their territorial dispute. ++ So as to expand its influence in the booming Asia-Pacific region and maintain its volumes of energy exports, Russia may cede sovereignty of the northern islands to Japan. ++ Successful negotiations would enable crucial collaboration on North Korea
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The three largest Asian Powers China, India and Japan have good reason to hope for a Republican US President. ++ China and India see the world more in terms of classic balance-of-power equations. ++ Balancing a rising China is important to Japan. ++ India and China are especially interested in more free-trade oriented policies and were sympathetic to Bush’s pro-Indian strategic
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War in Iraq might decrease US ability to preserve peace in East Asia - a serious concern for Japan. ++ Japan relies on the Middle East for 90 percent of its oil - stability in the region is vital. ++ North Korea will never dismantle nuclear weapons without US influence. ++ Japan should maintain close relationship with US - decline in US power is not in Japan’s national interest.
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The US economy is facing a post-bubble recession rather than a cyclical downturn. ++ As homebuilders and consumers - a sector representing 78% of GDP, are being hit the hardest, the Fed’s monetary easing policies which favor consumption are proving ineffective. ++ The focus should be on exports and infrastructure spending instead of attempts to maintain unsustainably high rates of personal
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Japan is donating ever less in aid, partly because chequebook diplomacy has been judged a failure. ++ Japan could increase its international contribution by utilizing its well equipped defence forces, but self imposed restrictions mean they have just 50 peacekeepers abroad. ++ Japan is increasingly ambitious about foreign affairs but with a shrinking aid budget and military phobia, Tokyo is doing
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The last 16 years provide valuable hindsight into the grand strategic approach of the United States and highlight the need to reshape American foreign policy around the principle of restraint, argues Barry R. Posen, director of the security studies program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Writing for the American Interest, he points out that US policy makers have struggled to
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The March 2007 Bruegel Policy Brief reveals that imbalances in global current account positions are not sustainable and need adjustment. A 15% depreciation of the dollar and an appreciation of Asian currencies is needed in order to:
- reduce the US current account deficit,
- faciliate China’s focus on domestic demand and reduce its accumulation of foreign exchange reserves, and
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If Japan intends to preserve its status in world trade, it must negotiate an economic partnership agreement with its biggest trading partner, the US, warns journalist Kiroku Hanai. Japan already lags behind South Korea and China in completing bilateral trade agreements and has recently shied away from free trade because of its weak agricultural sector, preferring instead multilateral negotiations
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North Korean nuclear tests are symptoms of an unheralded threat: not the exertion of North Korean strength, but the prospective collapse of Kim Jong Il’s government. Weakness in Pyongyang could result in desperation, a WMD attack on the South, or full-on military engagement with Seoul. Drawing on this possibility of collapse, Robert D. Kaplan discusses opportunities for:
- Reconstruction and
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Europeans should look to the United States as an emerging global leader in energy policy, says Claus Leggewie of Giessen University. The Director of the Center for Media and Interactivity describes a “greening” of the US political climate, fostered by rising oil prices in conjunction with recent natural disasters. The energy policy shift in the Bush Administration is mainly driven by security
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