The longest administration of all time How did you look abroad? November 21 17:56
America “The honeymoon that other countries want to imitate. However, there is a possibility that the policy will be easily overturned.”
China “Eternal Neighboring Relationships Should Work Together”
Russia “I have personal trust, but solving the territorial issue is an illusion…”
On November 20, how does the world see the Abe administration, the longest ever?
This time, we interviewed correspondents from various media in Tokyo, heard the evaluation of Abe's diplomacy, focusing on bilateral relations, and explored the realities of each country.
(Political Department Interview Team)
“Overview of the globe”
Prime Minister Abe visited 172 countries and regions in 6 years and 11 months since the second administration. The travel distance is more than 1.55 million kilometers, and the calculation is more than 38 laps of the earth.
Of these, America visited the most. That number, actually 16 times.
In November, just after Mr. Trump was elected in the US presidential election held three years ago, Prime Minister Abe was the first foreign leader to meet. The personal relationship with President Trump stands out among the world leaders.
"Abe Trump" Japan-US relationship
Japan-US relations that Japan believes has never been stronger. How have you seen the American media?
Peter Landers (50) is a leading paper, head of the Tokyo Office of the Wall Street Journal and has been in Japan for about 17 years. He has also interviewed Prime Minister Abe directly.
“In the beginning, Prime Minister Abe was attracting attention in the sense that“ Abenomics ”will revive the Japanese economy. Although it has not been said much recently… Evaluation of American economic officials is not bad I think. ''
And what I have noticed is the relationship with President Trump.
“It has been a great achievement in the sense that it avoids the damage that other countries have suffered against President Trump, who no one has ever anticipated.”
What does it mean?
Mr. Landers explained it in comparison with the US-China relationship, which is experiencing intense trade friction.
“China has to pay high tariffs, which is a disadvantage compared to the presidency of President Trump. On the other hand, the situation has not changed so much in Japan, as is the case with trade agreements. Speaking, there was little damage. ''
"I don't know what the honeymoon of the Japanese and US leaders is for the United States, but I think it's a plus for Japan. It's a plus that other countries want to imitate."
In terms of security, is the US-Japan alliance more robust and is there a blind spot in the US-Japan relationship?
“Hmm… The personal relationship with President Trump has never been stronger. On the other hand, the relationship between the nation's organizations seems to have not yet built the foundation. In the next year ’s presidential election, If a Democratic candidate who is skeptical of Japan is elected, there is a possibility that the policy could easily be overturned, such as urging Japan to reexamine trade imbalances or demanding a defense burden. "
Japan and Europe
Europe is said to have a jerky relationship with President Trump in terms of trade and security. This is what Philip Mesmer (47), a leading French newspaper, Le Monde Tokyo correspondent, says:
“It's very difficult to negotiate with the Trump administration. So Prime Minister Abe thinks it ’s overkill, but he ’s doing his best and the current relationship is good. But tomorrow… If the trade negotiations between the US and China are settled, If the US succeeds in increasing the Korean burden on the U.S. forces in Korea, the next thing that Japan wants to do is President Trump's way. I think that's what it looks like when you look at the Trump administration. "
On the other hand, about the relationship between Japan and Europe in the Abe administration.
“I think the relationship is very good, especially in terms of economics, the EPA = Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and the EU = European Union was a good development. France also made Japan a high priority country in diplomacy, In the security field, we share interest in the Indo-Pacific region and have a very good relationship. ''
However, Mr. Mesmer has made many strict comments on environmental issues and women's policies.
“At the G20 Osaka Summit in June, Japan was reluctant to consider President Trump, who is negative about the agreement, over the international framework for the global warming countermeasures“ Paris Agreement. ”
“With regard to“ Women's success ”, we are doing a big campaign to make women shine, but action is more important than words. However, in addition to countermeasures for waiting children for women's ease of work, female managers in companies The income disparity between men and women remains widespread and it is a shame despite being a major economic power. ''
How China sees Japan
And China became a great power. What are you thinking about the Abe administration now?
“Diplomacy is done in line with the government of the partner country. The basic policy will not change while one administration continues for a long time, so in that sense it will be easy to do diplomacy.”
Mr. Sukaihe (55), the head of the Tokyo branch of the “Economic Daily”, a Chinese-run economic paper, says:
“From our perspective, Mr. Abe has become more realistic since entering the second government, and with a softer attitude than the first, he has been able to hear various opinions both in Japan and in the international community. In that sense, I think it will be a partner who can cooperate well. ''
Japan-China relations deteriorated in the Democratic Party administration due to the nationalization of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture and the collision of a Chinese fishing boat. Even after becoming the Abe administration, the Japanese side protested over the Senkaku Islands, with the invasion of territorial waters by Chinese public ships.
However, Su points out that the Abe administration's stance that emphasized dialogue, consultation, and economic exchange has led to the improvement of the current relationship.
“Prime Minister Abe has faced the stance that“ China's development is an opportunity for Japan. ”Economic exchanges have become more and more closely understood by Chinese people. That is also a problem that lies between the two countries. "I think the Abe administration has reached an agreement with the Chinese government to prevent the situation from deteriorating through dialogue and consultation."
China, on the other hand, is thought to be approaching Japan with “the objection to protectionism and unilateralism” in view of the conflicting US. How does the Chinese government evaluate Japan in the United States where Japan stands based on the Japan-US alliance?
“That ’s unilateralism or international cooperation. Japan is actively involved in TPP = Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and RCEP = East Asia Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, including China that is currently negotiating. China is acclaiming this. ''
On top of that ...
“Japan is an eternal neighbor in Asia, and China and Japan should work together to promote the international free economy and work with a wider range of countries.”
"Abe Putin" Japan and Russia
And another great power, Russia.
“Shinzo Abe is famous in Russia after the writer Haruki Murakami and the film director Takeshi Kitano. However, the length of the Abe administration is not so much for Russians. The Putin administration has continued for about 15 years ... "
That's what Sergey Mingadev (42), head of the East Asian branch of the Russian state television and radio.
Japan-Russia relations with the challenge of peace treaty negotiations, including the Northern Territories issue.
Prime Minister Abe and President Putin have met 27 times and have established a relationship in which they call each other “Vladimir” and “Shinzo” under their first names.
Regarding this, Mr. Mingadev said, “I think there is a trust relationship in the sense that you can speak in a one-on-one meeting with only an interpreter, but that alone can actually solve the problem, "It's not enough."
Why is that?
“There must be a good relationship of trust not only among the leaders but also between the citizens. The two governments say that the relationship is getting better, but looking at the numbers, trade volume and economic cooperation are at a low level. I believe that the development of international relations must be accompanied by strengthening relations in the economic field. ''
On top of that ...
“The two leaders are aiming to find a win-win solution. But for Russia, the sovereignty of the northern four islands remains in Russia, and a peace treaty is signed to strengthen economic relations. On the other hand, I don't know what the ultimate goal of Japan is, but what is sovereignty going back to Japan?
In addition, remarks that are strongly conscious of the United States that opposes Russia.
“From the perspective of the Russian government, Japan has a strong economy, but it cannot be said that it has yet to take a strong position in international politics. First of all, the image of Japan is that it is an American ally and follows American policy. From this point of view, isn't fantasy the solution to the territorial issue? ”
Japan-Korea relations
On the other hand, Japan-Korea relations are said to be the worst after the war.
How do Koreans see the Abe administration? I interviewed Lee Ha Won (Li Heon 51), a leading Korean conservative newspaper, Chosun Ilbo's Tokyo branch manager.
“The Abe administration is frankly unpopular. Prime Minister Abe doesn't value Japan-Korea relations, and the image is strong in South Korea. Since he was a victim of the colony, how can he overcome while learning from Japan? I think Japan is a rival that has a friendly relationship. ''
The Japanese government has repeatedly urged Korea to correct the violation of international law on the issue of “recruitment” during the Pacific War in order to improve relations.
Lee is critical of the response of the Moon Jae-in administration, who does not come up with a concrete solution.
“I think it's better to follow the 1965 Japan-Korea Claims Agreement. The Korean government will first resolve and resolve the remedy for the victims, and Japanese companies will be future-oriented and voluntarily assisted. Isn't there a possibility to participate in this initiative? ”
On the other hand, the Japanese government strongly criticizes the strengthening of export control to Korea, which was taken as a “security measure” in July.
“It was a very wrong behavior that Prime Minister Abe, who declared free trade at the G20 Osaka Summit, took such a measure right away. Economic retaliation against the problem of political recruitment before the Upper House election. The Korean economy deteriorated and the public was worried, so it increased the sense of anxiety. "
However, there are enviable points.
“Kotobashi used to enter the era of wartime and invited President Trump as a national custodian. At TICAD, he invited African leaders and nearly 200 key people from various countries. It ’s really enviable to do it. ”
And for improving Japan-Korea relations ...
“I can understand Japan's position to some extent, but I would like the Abe administration and the Japanese people to show flexibility at the final stage. I want to get on the road.It may be a long way, but I will share my wisdom.It is beneficial to strengthen the cooperation between the three countries of Japan, the US and South Korea, and Japan and Korea cannot afford to waste time. Future orientation is important. ''
The role expected of Japan
Reporters from overseas media who have various views on the long-term Japanese government.
At the end of the interview, I asked everyone.
“What is the future role of Japan in the international community?”
Mr. Randers, USA "In a time when democracy is severe, to be a model for the world"
France Mesmer “Strategy to follow peacebuilding without following other countries”
Su, China “Protecting the International Coordination of Economy”
Ms. Mingadev, Russia “Role unaffected by rice decision-making”
South Korea Lee “Relieves the concerns of neighboring countries and plays a role in peace and economy”