Editorial: In election, parties should discuss Japan's role in restoring rules-based order
Postwar Japan has relied on U.S. deterrence for security, and achieved economic growth under a free trade system. However, the Trump administration views alliances as liabilities rather than assets, and the relationship that has been the linchpin of the alliance is creaking under the strain. Washington has imposed high tariffs on even allies and has also demanded increased defense spending.
The security environment surrounding Japan is becoming increasingly severe. China has continued with its military expansion, and is boosting its maritime advancements into the East and South China seas. Meanwhile, North Korea, which is accelerating its development of nuclear weapons and missiles, has formed a military alliance with Russia, which is continuing its war in Ukraine. The threat toward Japan is only increasing.
Strains in the Japan-U.S. alliance
A concern is that it remains uncertain just how much the U.S. aims to get involved in stabilizing East Asia. A U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson suggested that Asian allies, including Japan, should raise their defense-related spending to 5% of gross domestic product, similar to NATO member countries. Due to Russia's prolonged invasion of Ukraine, most European countries belonging to NATO have complied with U.S. requests.
Japan has decided to increase its defense spending to 2% of GDP by fiscal 2027. Both the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan have pledged to "fundamentally strengthen defense capabilities," but they have not provided a blueprint showing how far they intend to go.
Japan should not be preparing defense capabilities based on numerical targets in the first place. Rather, it is essential to first accurately assess the military capabilities and intentions of neighboring countries and identify threats. Strategies should then be developed to address these threats, and the necessary equipment and other items should be selected accordingly. Addressing personnel shortages in the Self-Defense Forces due to Japan's declining birth rate is another urgent matter.
Increasing defense spending could impact other policies like social security. There should be in-depth discussions about the appropriate scale relative to national strength.
In light of China's moves to increase military pressure, such as its deployment of two aircraft carriers in the Western Pacific, it is important to maintain deterrence. But rather than just strengthening defense capabilities, efforts need to be made to build a stable relationship with repeated talks so as not to heighten tensions.
Negotiations between Tokyo and Washington over high tariffs have cast a shadow over Japan's upper house election. Trump's approach not only undermines Japan's national interests but also threatens to disrupt global supply chains for goods and services. A strategy to uphold the free trade system is necessary.
The European Union is cooperating with member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership to establish new trade rules. Japan, having benefited from free trade, should take an active role.
Strategy to strengthen alliance needed
The goal should be multilateral diplomacy. To restore international order damaged by ongoing wars in Europe and the Middle East and Trump's high-handed tariff policies, it is essential for middle powers like Japan and Europe to band together.
Japan must further strengthen ties with countries sharing values of freedom and democracy, such as Australia and South Korea, as well as with members of emerging and developing countries collectively known as the Global South, including India and those in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
While the words and actions of Trump, who is prioritizing his own country, have shaken the prestige of the United States, China is increasing its presence in Asia. It is leveraging geoeconomic strategies like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to draw in ASEAN countries targeted by high tariffs.
Japan has built trust with Asian countries since the postwar period through economic assistance and other such measures. It is crucial to leverage this experience to contribute to regional stability.
There is concern that Japan's commitment to the rule of law, which it has valued, and other principles is weakening. If Japan cannot bring itself to criticize the self-righteous actions of Trump, who believes in "peace through strength," out of consideration for him, it will only lose the trust of the Global South.
While maintaining its important relationship with the U.S., which is crucial for Japan's security and economy, efforts to restore a rules-based international order are indispensable. Each party should engage in robust discussions on the role Japan should play in achieving this.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Japan Times
15 minutes ago
- Japan Times
Trump announces new tariff rate on Japan — and extension of deadline to Aug. 1
The United States will raise its 'reciprocal tariff' on Japan to 25% effective Aug. 1, President Donald Trump said in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Monday, less than two weeks before a crucial Upper House election. 'We have had years to discuss our Trading Relationship with Japan, and have concluded that we must move away from these longterm, and very persistent, Trade Deficits engendered by Japan's Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers,' Trump wrote. The new 25% duty rate — which is just slightly higher than the 24% rate announced on April 2 — will be charged on almost all Japanese goods entering the United States. The rate is also separate from sectoral tariffs that are currently in place, which include 25% on vehicles and auto parts and 50% on steel and aluminum. Goods shipped via a third country to avoid higher tariffs will not be immune, Trump wrote. He also noted that if Japan raises tariffs on American exports, the same number will be added onto the 25% the U.S. charges. New vehicles from Japanese auto maker Honda are seen at a parking lot in the Port of Richmond in San Francisco on Monday, as trade tensions escalate after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would impose a 25% tariff on goods from Japan starting Aug. 1. The Trump administration announced its reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries on April 2, then put the framework on a 90-day pause two days later, during which a 10% baseline rate remained in place. Countries had been required by the U.S. to strike a deal by July 9 to avoid the higher rate from going into effect again. Ironically, Trump's attempt to ramp up pressure by sending out ultimatums has gained Japan a few more weeks. The U.S. president signed an executive order later Monday to extend the deadline until Aug. 1. Voters in Japan will head to the polls on July 20 for an Upper House election that is expected to be a tough go for Ishiba and his ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung became the first recipients of Trump's letters. The president announced later in the day that similar letters were sent to countries including South Africa, Malaysia, Myanmar and Laos, with the new tariff rate set as high as 40%. Trump had berated Japan for three days in a row last week for the lack of progress in trade talks between the two countries, while threatening to take tariffs to as high as 35% at one point. Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's chief tariff negotiator, talked with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over the phone last Thursday and Saturday following Trump's angry remarks. Ishiba will convene a tariff task force meetingTuesday following the latest announcement, according to reports.
The Mainichi
16 minutes ago
- The Mainichi
Trump and Netanyahu may take a victory lap on Iran, but the Gaza war looms over their meeting
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump might look to take a victory lap on Monday after their recent joint strikes on Iran, hailed by both as an unmitigated success. But as they meet at the White House for the third time this year, the outwardly triumphant visit will be dogged by Israel's 21-month war against Hamas in Gaza and questions over how hard Trump will push for an end to the conflict. Trump has made clear that following last month's 12-day war between Israel and Iran he would like to see the Gaza conflict end soon. The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu could give new urgency to a U.S. ceasefire proposal being discussed by Israel and Hamas, but whether it leads to a deal that ends the war is unclear. "The utmost priority for the president right now in the Middle East is to end the war in Gaza and to return all of the hostages," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters ahead of the leaders' private dinner. Before departing for Washington on Sunday, Netanyahu praised the cooperation with the U.S. for bringing a "huge victory over our shared enemy." He struck a positive note on a ceasefire for Gaza, saying he was working "to achieve the deal under discussion, on the terms we agreed to." The prime minister met on Monday with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio before his dinner with Trump. Netanyahu is slated to meet Tuesday with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson. "I think that the discussion with President Trump can certainly help advance that result, which all of us hope for," Netanyahu said. 'It changes from day to day' White House officials are urging Israel and Hamas to quickly seal a new ceasefire agreement that would bring about a 60-day pause in the fighting, send aid flooding into Gaza and free at least some of the remaining 50 hostages held in the territory, 20 of whom are believed to be living. Leavitt announced on Monday that Witkoff will travel later this week to Doha, Qatar, for ceasefire and hostage talks. But a sticking point is whether the ceasefire will end the war altogether. Hamas has said it is willing to free all the hostages in exchange for an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu says the war will end once Hamas surrenders, disarms and goes into exile -- something it refuses to do. Demonstrators, including hostage family members, gathered outside the U.S. Capitol before the leaders' meeting to press for the release of all remaining hostages in any agreement. "We cannot accept a deal for a partial release," said Ilan Dalal, father of Guy Gilboa-Dalal. "A partial deal would mean that some of the hostages will stay in the tunnels for more time and this would be a death sentence." Trump has been pressuring Israel and Hamas to wrap up the conflict, which has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, ravaged Gaza, deepened Israel's international isolation and made any resolution to the broader conflict between Israel and the Palestinians more distant than ever. But the precise details of the deal, and whether it can lead to an end to the war, are still in flux. In the days before Netanyahu's visit, Trump seemed to downplay the chances for a breakthrough. Asked on Friday how confident he was a ceasefire deal would come together, Trump told reporters: "I'm very optimistic -- but you know, look, it changes from day to day." On Sunday evening, he seemed to narrow his expectation, telling reporters that he thought an agreement related to the remaining hostages would be reached in the coming week. Trump and Netanyahu are more in sync than ever Those mood swings also have embodied Trump's relationship with Netanyahu. After Trump's decision to get involved in Israel's war in Iran with strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, the two leaders are more in sync than ever. But that's not always been the case. As recently as Netanyahu's last visit to Washington in April, the tone was markedly different. Trump used the photo-op with Netanyahu to announce that the U.S. was entering into negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program -- appearing to catch the Israeli leader off guard and, at the time, slamming the brakes on any Israeli military plan. Trump, whose policies have largely aligned with Israel's own priorities, pledged last week to be "very firm" with Netanyahu on ending the war, without saying what that would entail. Pressure by Trump has worked on Netanyahu in the past, with a ceasefire deal having been reached right as the president was taking office again. Netanyahu has to balance the demands of his American ally with the far-right parties in his governing coalition, which hold the key to his political survival and oppose ending the war. But given the strong U.S. support in Israel's war against Iran, highlighted by joint airstrikes on a fortified underground Iranian nuclear site, Netanyahu may have a tough time saying no. Trump also may expect something in return for his recent calls for Netanyahu's corruption trial to be canceled -- a significant interference in the domestic affairs of a sovereign state. "Trump thinks that Netanyahu owes him," said Eytan Gilboa, an expert on U.S.-Israel affairs at Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv. "And if Trump thinks that he needs to end the war In Gaza, then that is what he will need to do." Leaders to discuss keeping Iran from trying to revive its nuclear program The two men are expected to discuss the ceasefire with Iran following last month's strikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites, Leavitt said. Trump on Sunday told reporters he continues to look for a "permanent deal" with Tehran to ensure Iran doesn't try to restart its nuclear program. Trump administration officials maintain that Iran's nuclear program has been set back by years. They point in particular to intelligence findings that show the strikes destroyed Iran's lone metal conversion facility. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian in an interview published Monday said the U.S. airstrikes so badly damaged his country's nuclear facilities that Iranian authorities still have not been able to access them to survey the destruction. Pezeshkian added in the interview with conservative American broadcaster Tucker Carlson that Iran would be willing to resume cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog but cannot yet commit to allowing its inspectors unfettered access to monitor the sites. "We stand ready to have such supervision," Pezeshkian said. "Unfortunately, as a result of the United States' unlawful attacks against our nuclear centers and installations, many of the pieces of equipment and the facilities there have been severely damaged."
Yomiuri Shimbun
25 minutes ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Trump to Put 25% Tariffs on Japan and South Korea, New Import Taxes on 12 Other Nations
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday set a 25% tax on goods imported from Japan and South Korea, as well as new tariff rates on a dozen other nations that would go into effect on Aug. 1. Trump provided notice by posting letters on Truth Social that were addressed to the leaders of the various countries. The letters warned them to not retaliate by increasing their own import taxes, or else the Trump administration would further increase tariffs. 'If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 25% that we charge,' Trump wrote in the letters to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. The letters were not the final word from Trump on tariffs, so much as another episode in a global economic drama in which he has placed himself at the center. His moves have raised fears that economic growth would slow to a trickle, if not make the U.S. and other nations more vulnerable to a recession. But Trump is confident that tariffs are necessary to bring back domestic manufacturing and fund the tax cuts he signed into law last Friday. He mixed his sense of aggression with a willingness to still negotiate, signaling the likelihood that the drama and uncertainty would continue and that few things are ever final with Trump. Imports from Myanmar and Laos would be taxed at 40%, Cambodia and Thailand at 36%, Serbia and Bangladesh at 35%, Indonesia at 32%, South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 30% and Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Tunisia at 25%. Trump placed the word 'only' before revealing the rate in his letters to the foreign leaders, implying that he was being generous with his tariffs. But the letters generally followed a standard format, so much so that the one to Bosnia and Herzegovina initially addressed its woman leader, Željka Cvijanović, as 'Mr. President.' Trump later posted a corrected letter. Trade talks have yet to deliver several deals White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump was by setting the rates himself creating 'tailor-made trade plans for each and every country on this planet and that's what this administration continues to be focused on.' Following a now well-worn pattern, Trump plans to continue sharing the letters sent to his counterparts on social media and then mail them the documents, a stark departure from the more formal practices of all his predecessors when negotiating trade agreements. The letters are not agreed-to settlements but Trump's own choice on rates, a sign that the closed-door talks with foreign delegations failed to produce satisfactory results for either side. Wendy Cutler, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute who formerly worked in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, said the tariff hikes on Japan and South Korea were 'unfortunate.' 'Both have been close partners on economic security matters and have a lot to offer the United States on priority matters like shipbuilding, semiconductors, critical minerals and energy cooperation,' Cutler said. Trump still has outstanding differences on trade with the European Union and India, among other trading partners. Tougher talks with China are on a longer time horizon in which imports from that nation are being taxed at 55%. The office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that the tariff rates announced by Trump mischaracterized the trade relationship with the U.S., but it would 'continue with its diplomatic efforts towards a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States' after having proposed a trade framework on May 20. Higher tariffs prompt market worries, more uncertainty ahead The S&P 500 stock index was down 0.8% in Monday trading, while the interest charged on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes had increased to nearly 4.39%, a figure that could translate into elevated rates for mortgages and auto loans. Trump has declared an economic emergency to unilaterally impose the taxes, suggesting they are remedies for past trade deficits even though many U.S. consumers have come to value autos, electronics and other goods from Japan and South Korea. The constitution grants Congress the power to levy tariffs under normal circumstances, though tariffs can also result from executive branch investigations regarding national security risks. Trump's ability to impose tariffs through an economic emergency is under legal challenge, with the administration appealing a May ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade that said the president exceeded his authority. It's unclear what he gains strategically against China — another stated reason for the tariffs — by challenging two crucial partners in Asia, Japan and South Korea, that could counter China's economic heft. 'These tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your Country,' Trump wrote in both letters. Because the new tariff rates go into effect in roughly three weeks, Trump is setting up a period of possibly tempestuous talks among the U.S. and its trade partners to reach new frameworks. 'I don't see a huge escalation or a walk back — it's just more of the same,' said Scott Lincicome, a vice president at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank Trump initially roiled the financial markets by announcing tariff rates on dozens of countries, including 24% on Japan and 25% on South Korea. In order to calm the markets, Trump unveiled a 90-day negotiating period during which goods from most countries were taxed at a baseline 10%. So far, the rates in the letters sent by Trump either match his April 2 tariffs or are generally close to them. The 90-day negotiating period technically ends on Wednesday, even as multiple administration officials suggested the three-week period before implementation is akin to overtime for additional talks that could change the rates. Trump plans to sign an executive order on Monday to delay the official tariff increases until Aug. 1, Leavitt said. Congressionally approved Trade agreements historically have sometimes taken years to negotiate because of the complexity. Administration officials have said Trump is relying on tariff revenues to help offset the tax cuts he signed into law on July 4, a move that could shift a greater share of the federal tax burden onto the middle class and poor as importers would likely pass along much of the cost of the tariffs. Trump has warned major retailers such as Walmart to simply 'eat' the higher costs, instead of increasing prices in ways that could intensify inflation. Josh Lipsky, chair of international economics at The Atlantic Council, said that a three-week delay in imposing the tariffs was unlikely sufficient for meaningful talks to take place. 'I take it as a signal that he is serious about most of these tariffs and it's not all a negotiating posture,' Lipsky said. Trade gaps persist, more tariff hikes are possible Trump's team promised 90 deals in 90 days, but his negotiations so far have produced only two trade frameworks. His outline of a deal with Vietnam was clearly designed to box out China from routing its America-bound goods through that country, by doubling the 20% tariff charged on Vietnamese imports on anything traded transnationally. The quotas in the signed United Kingdom framework would spare that nation from the higher tariff rates being charged on steel, aluminum and autos, though British goods would generally face a 10% tariff. The United States ran a $69.4 billion trade imbalance in goods with Japan in 2024 and a $66 billion imbalance with South Korea, according to the Census Bureau. The trade deficits are the differences between what the U.S. exports to a country relative to what it imports. According to Trump's letters, autos would be tariffed separately at the standard 25% worldwide, while steel and aluminum imports would be taxed on 50%. This is not the first time that Trump has tangled with Japan and South Korea on trade — and the new tariffs suggest his past deals made during his first term failed to deliver on his administration's own hype. In 2018, during Trump's first term, his administration celebrated a revamped trade agreement with South Korea as a major win. And in 2019, Trump signed a limited agreement with Japan on agricultural products and digital trade that at the time he called a 'huge victory for America's farmers, ranchers and growers.' Trump has also said on social media that countries aligned with the policy goals of BRICS, an organization composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, would face additional tariffs of 10%.
