Far above the continent of China

A half year ago, I opened an newspaper on the domestic flight in China. A headline said "New Delhi won't fall for Tokyo's attempts to stir up trouble with Beijing" (Jan. 23, 2015 Global Times)
- During two day visit to India, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said "Arunachal Pradesh State" in Tibet, where had been controversial for long between India and China, was Indian territory. After escalation of Diaoyu Island issue, Japan has more stepped into China's territorial disputes with other countries. In the case of conflict, Japan can put the blame on China instead of itself. However New Delhi is well aware that it should seek a wise balance in its relations with China and Japan-
The article described as above and it's closed with the lines "Even though Sino-Japanese relations have hit a historical low point at the moment, there is no need to be too concerned about Japan's improper speeches and actions" Even though it's a Chinese newspaper, the last part was tough to me as Japanese, although I think what's said in the article is almost true.

Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe's diplomacy is mostly as the article. At fifty some countries where he has visited so far, he stressed China's threat and asked approval to Japan. Then he left huge ODA on each country. Well, the leaders may nod and accept "le petit cadeau" with gratitude. However they must not fully trust what the PM said. They have their own diplomatic stance to China, and want to keep good relation with it. So in the world leaders' mind they must say "Hey, Mr. PM. Why don't you have better relation with your neighbor?"
Among the Japanese Internet user, the word "Dis-ru" are widely used in the meaning to take somebody into disrepute on the web. The prime minister's Disrepute Diplomacy looks so immature and unsophisticated. Even if you get a hundred of support on your side in the trouble with somebody, it doesn't lead to the solution at all. Only solution is respecting the opponent and discussing each other on face to face.

In the meantime Japan's security related bill is still processing for resolution. The PM Abe has stressed the marine mines in the Strait of Horumz would be a possible risk which threat the life of Japanese people. However recently he retracted the example by public opposition. In stead he takes China's act in the South China Sea as another existing risk. Actually it's not Japanese territorial issue. When did Japan become a watchdog of all Asia?
Abe might be talking about sea lane issue in same reason as the Horumz. Once an oil tanker from the Middle East blocked on the way, it may threat the life of Japanese. Unfortunately most of the wars in history were caused on those kind of theory.

However we live in the 21st Century. According to the report by BP. The 1st oil producing country in 2014 was the US. Because of shale oil, I guess. Even the US won't make war for oil any more. On the other hand China, which is Japanese media often disrepute as an oil wasting country, stands on the 4th place in the report and has advanced technology in solar energy. The world is getting away from the oil of Middle East and shift to new energy.
Nonetheless as for hearing presentations of security related bill, Japan would keep owing on oil from Saudi or Kuwait forever. "So we'll sweep the enemy who block the sea lane" It's something like seeing the 20th Century's ghost. This must be a reason the PM Abe cannot get trust from other countries.

Here once again I'll mention Koji Yabe's book I wrote in last issue. According to the book, The United Nations basically took over the Allied Nations (Victorious nations) in WWII. Therefore the position of defeated countries, Japan or Germany for example, restricted by the Enemy State Clause. At the UN system in postwar, the defeated counties got start from the bottom line.
However Germany has been left from the status with continuous effort recovering the trust from other countries on the huge reflection to the war. So how about Japan? Now Japan has got trust from other Asian countries?
Meanwhile the PM Abe will release statement for the 70th anniversary of the end of the war on coming Aug.14. Once he said it would be more future oriented one than looking back the past. But here again he rewrites the draft by opposition. Anyway you should keep an eye on the statement, and of course what Japanese government will actually practice on their diplomacy after that.

Originally I had disagreed to revise the article 9 "Army-Navy-Air Force, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained" in Japanese Constitution . However watching a series of the confusion on the security related bill, I'm changing my mind. More strict and embodied amendment might be need on the A9 against misleading of the state power.
The role of Japanese Self-Defense Forces should be defined clearly. It should be prohibited to join or support any military mission abroad. Should be prohibited the stationing of any foreign military forces or bases in Japan as an independent nation. Of course, to do that well balanced diplomacy is necessary.
However now in Japan, revising constitution has apparently another meaning. It's regard as a government side matter. They tried to revise it as they like. Well, once people said No on it. That's why the cabinet now read the constitution on their own way and process the bill.
But I really concerned if the cabinet emphasize the threat of the China instead of the Strait of Horumz issue, the people could agree about the bill or revising the constitution along government way. The negative campaign about China by Japanese government or some media effects so deeply people's mind. Even though the people protest the security related bill, they could agree to get prepare for "the changes of international security condition" that the government emphasizes. They meant the China's threat.
I think the relationship between nations even getting better although other conflicts are happen between religions, ethnic groups or philosophies.
However there are no criticism on the objective view saying "The very person breaking peaceful air is Japanese diplomacy itself" or "The world situation is not change but Japanese people is straying from the truck". Even in everyday conversation I feel very cramped air when I talk about something positive opinion for China, Chinese people or the products. (And it's in similar situation for Korea) An air of freedom is now far away here.

In Aug. 1941, not long after the WWII began, the leaders of the US and UK released The Anglo-American Joint Declaration. As if both countries knew the results of the war, it declared the agreement on the world order for peace and disarmament of enemy states after the war. It would be fully described on the A9 of Japanese constitution which was written by the GHQ 4 years later.
"Brutal U.S. and Britain" "We are superior to the enemy" When Japanese were misled by the made-up information from the government, the reality was moving ahead without any made-up story. 70 years has passed since then, how much we Japanese get wiser?