President Biden of the United States left the United States on the morning of the 20th of Japan time for his first visit to Japan and South Korea after taking office.
In addition to holding a summit meeting with Japan and South Korea, he plans to attend the summit meeting of Quad, the framework of the four countries of Japan, the United States, Australia and India. It's an idea.
President Biden left the US military base near the capital Washington on a special plane for his first visit, South Korea, after noon on the 19th and after 1:00 am on the 20th of Japan time.
President Biden will arrive in South Korea on the afternoon of the 20th and will hold his first summit meeting with President Yoon Seok-yeol on the 21st.
From the 22nd, he will visit Japan to hold a summit meeting with Prime Minister Kishida and attend a summit meeting of Quad, a framework of four countries including Australia and India in addition to Japan and the United States.
During his stay in Japan, he is also expected to announce the start of talks to launch the IPEF = Indo-Pacific Economic Framework with a view to countering China, which is becoming more influential in the region.
"It's a crucial time to demonstrate American leadership in the important region of the Indo-Pacific," said Sullivan, National Security Adviser at the White House.
This is the first time President Biden has visited Japan and South Korea since he took office, and I would like to emphasize that despite the pressure to deal with the situation in Ukraine, there is no change in his stance of deepening his involvement in the Indo-Pacific region with China in mind.
Successive US Presidents visiting Japan
Successive presidents of the United States have visited Japan at least once during their tenure since President Ford, who first visited Japan in 1974 as the incumbent president.
Reagan
President Reagan, who came to Japan in 1983, was nicknamed "Ron" and "Yasu" with Prime Minister Nakasone.
Mr. Nakasone welcomed President Reagan at the villa "Hinode Sanso" in Hinode-cho, Tokyo, and the appearance of blowing conch shells became a hot topic.
George HW Bush
In 1992, President George HW Bush discussed in a meeting with Prime Minister Miyazawa about the resolution of trade friction between Japan and the United States, such as the trade in automobiles and the opening of the rice market.
At the dinner party, President Bush got sick and collapsed at the venue.
Clinton
President Clinton has visited Japan five times, which is the largest number of incumbent presidents.
In 1996, President Clinton announced a joint declaration with Prime Minister Hashimoto that the security system of Japan and the United States would be the basis of regional stability even after the end of the Cold War.
In addition, the declaration states that it will work to organize and reduce the US military bases concentrated in Okinawa Prefecture, and President Clinton will be the president of the United States after returning to the mainland of Okinawa to attend the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit in 2000, four years later. I visited Okinawa for the first time.
It was also talked about President Clinton jogging around his Imperial Palace with his Secret Service in between his official events.
George W. Bush
President George W. Bush embarked on a military operation in Afghanistan and the Iraq War in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and has a close relationship with Prime Minister Koizumi. I built it.
When he came to Japan in 2002, he asked for cooperation in the "War on Terror", but Mr. Koizumi responded that "Japan is always with the United States" and expressed his intention to work closely.
During his subsequent visit to Japan, President Bush and Mr. Koizumi discussed Iraq's reconstruction assistance, including the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces.
Obama
President Obama's first visit to Japan was in 2009, with a foreign policy focused on Asia.
I had a meeting with Prime Minister Hatoyama of the Democratic Party of Japan, who took office in the same year.
At this time, Mr. Hatoyama, who stated that the relocation destination of the U.S. military Futenma base in Okinawa Prefecture was "at least outside the prefecture," said "Trust Me = Trust me," and the U.S. side called Henoko, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture. The confusion spread, taking it as a promise that the relocation could be settled according to the agreement between Japan and the United States.
When he came to Japan in May 2016, he visited Hiroshima for the first time as the incumbent president and made a speech in front of the A-bomb survivors, saying, "We must pursue a world without nuclear weapons."
President Obama has visited Japan four times during his tenure, and when he came to Japan in 2014, Prime Minister Abe invited President Obama to a sushi restaurant in Ginza, Tokyo, and worked to build a personal relationship of trust. rice field.
Playing cards
And President Trump who advocated the American first principle.
In November 2017, the first visit to Japan, we held a summit meeting with Prime Minister Abe to discuss how to deal with North Korea and exchange opinions on the framework of economic dialogue between the two countries.
In addition, when I visited Japan in May 2019, which was the first visit to Japan by Reiwa, I met with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, who were the first foreign heads of state to take the throne this year.
Also, when President Trump and Mr. Abe visit Japan, they enjoy playing golf, which is a common hobby, and deepen their friendship.
President Biden's aim to visit Japan
President Biden's first visit to Japan is to clearly show that the United States' involvement in the Indo-Pacific region remains unwavering as Russian troops continue to invade Ukraine.
There are concerns among the countries concerned that the United States will be busy responding to the military invasion and that China will "delay" its involvement in the Indo-Pacific region, which is becoming more influential against the backdrop of military power. is.
For this reason, President Biden wants to visit Japan and South Korea, the trusted East Asian allies, to showcase their strong alliance and consistent involvement in regional security.
In particular, at the summit meeting with Prime Minister Kishida, we would like to restrain China by reaffirming that the so-called "extended deterrence" that provides allies with military deterrence, including US nuclear weapons, is strong and sufficient. is.
The Biden administration also recognizes that in the wake of the Ukraine crisis, there is growing concern in Taiwan that China will attempt to unify Taiwan with military force.
The United States also believes that this visit to Japan will be an American message to Taiwan, which is under military pressure from China.
Furthermore, I would like to connect it to the restraint on North Korea, which repeatedly launches ballistic missiles.
In addition, President Biden will attend the quad summit meeting of the four countries of Japan, the United States, Australia and India on the 24th, and would like to establish a unity in a multilateral framework with China in mind.
Another hidden aim is to capture Southeast Asian countries.
The Biden administration believes that the success or failure of the Indo-Pacific strategy with China in mind depends on building strong relations with the countries of the ASEAN-Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
However, there are many ASEAN countries who are skeptical about the "seriousness" of the United States and are concerned about the deterioration of relations with China, which has strong economic ties.
For this reason, President Biden has started discussions to launch a new economic partnership framework called IPEF = Indo-Pacific Economic Framework in order to capture ASEAN countries in the fields of digital trade and economic security. I would like to announce it during my stay.
However, some ASEAN members are cautious about participating, saying that they do not feel the benefits of tariff reductions.
For these reasons, we would like to make a start dash toward the launch by announcing the IPEF concept with the support of Japan, which is highly reliable among ASEAN countries.
During this visit to Japan, attention will be paid to the specific contents of IPEF and whether any country will participate.
Policy to strengthen cooperation with allies including Japan with China in mind
The Biden administration in the United States has positioned the response to China, which activates military activities, as a top priority issue in terms of security, and has indicated a policy of strengthening cooperation with allies including Japan.
In March, the US Department of Defense summarized and published the outline of the Biden administration's first "defense strategy."
Among them, China is positioned as the "most important strategic competitor" and defends the country in a way that responds to the increasing threat in a wide range of areas.
He clarified that "China's challenge in the Indo-Pacific will be prioritized, followed by Russia's challenge in Europe," and emphasized the stance of giving top priority to China's response even as Russia's military invasion of Ukraine continues. ..
The Biden administration completely withdrew its troops from Afghanistan in August last year, and in December it ended the combat mission of the troops stationed in Iraq, and is preparing to divert its force to respond to China. increase.
However, given that China is rapidly increasing its military power, it has repeatedly indicated its policy of countering China while strengthening cooperation with allies and friends, not just the United States alone.
In September last year, a security framework called "AUKUS" was created by the three countries of the United Kingdom and Australia to technically support the deployment of Australian nuclear submarines, and it is said that China has already deployed it in combat. We have decided to jointly develop hypersonic weapons.
Regarding Japan, he said, "The Japan-US alliance is the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region," and expressed his desire to further strengthen security cooperation.
At the ministerial talks on foreign affairs and defense between Japan and the United States held in January, the so-called "2 plus 2", facilities by both countries to strengthen the posture in the Nansei Islands, etc., with China in mind, which is strengthening the movement to advance into the ocean. We agreed to increase the shared use of.
In response to this, the governments of both countries are clearly considering strengthening cooperation between the US Army and the Self-Defense Forces, such as considering the deployment of unmanned aircraft of the US Army at the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Kanoya Air Base in Kagoshima Prefecture.
The talks also keep in mind that China appears to be strengthening its military capabilities in areas such as cyber and space, as well as cross-cutting capabilities that include new areas as well as traditional land, sea and air. They agreed that strengthening is important and that they need to jointly address threats in cyberspace, and confirmed that they will continue to discuss "satellite constellations" in which many small satellites work together.
In the western Pacific region, it has been pointed out that the superiority of the US military over the Chinese military is being lost, and it is expected that the US will ask Japan for a further role in the future.
Emphasizing the importance of the Indo-Pacific region Strong caution in China
In February, the Byden administration announced the "Indo-Pacific Strategy," which is a pillar of foreign policy. The United States is rooted in the region and can only increase its own interests by strengthening the region with its allies and friends, "he emphasizes its importance.
On the other hand, it is showing a strong sense of caution against China, which is positioned as the "largest competitor" in this region as "it poses a big challenge".
The Byden administration criticized that "China is undermining international laws such as human rights and freedom of navigation that have brought stability and prosperity to the Indo-Pacific region," and "whether China will rewrite these rules and norms." It depends on our efforts over the next 10 years. " ..
However, the Biden administration has not been able to suppress China, which is increasing its influence in the region, as it is forced to respond to Russia, which continues its military invasion of Ukraine, so to speak, a "two-front operation". ..
Last month, China signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific.
The details of the agreement have not been revealed, but there is widespread speculation that China may have military troops stationed there.
Last year, the Byden administration set out to support the deployment of nuclear submarines to its ally Australia with the intention of strengthening deterrence against China, but if China had troops stationed in the Solomon Islands near Australia, deterrence would decline. There are concerns that it may be done.
In terms of economic security, the Biden administration has set out to launch a new economic partnership, the IPEF = Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
This aims to set common rules for trade among participating countries, but it is also pointed out that the benefits are difficult to see because tariff reductions are not targeted, and how many countries will participate and how effective it is. The reality is that we cannot see if we can create a sexual framework.
Furthermore, cooperation with friendly countries in the region is also an issue.
Last year, the Biden administration held its first summit of a four-country framework, "Quad," with Japan, Australia, and India, with a view to countering China.
Of these, India has traditionally called a "non-aligned movement", which has a foreign policy that is not biased toward specific countries, and is cautious about cooperation in the field of security. There is also a temperature difference between them.
Responding to North Korea, which is advancing nuclear and missile development, continues to be an issue.
The Biden administration has called for the resumption of dialogue toward denuclearization, but according to the U.S. government, North Korea has not responded, has repeatedly launched ballistic missiles, and is preparing for the seventh nuclear test. It seems that the development of nuclear weapons and missiles has not been stopped.
Emphasis on the framework of the Japan-US-Australia-India "Quad"
The Biden administration attaches great importance to the "quad" framework created by the four countries of Japan and the United States plus India and Australia.
The background is a foreign policy to strengthen cooperation with allies and friends who share values such as democracy and the rule of law in order to counter China, which is regarded as the "largest competitor".
For this reason, President Biden raised the quad, which was a ministerial-level framework, to the summit level, and held an online summit in March last year and a face-to-face summit in September for the first time. I have agreed to do so.
Of the other three countries, the United States has an alliance with Japan and Australia, and India is a major power in the Indo-Pacific region where the United States is deepening its involvement, although it is not an ally, and it is an important partner in competing with China. It is positioned.
At the previous meetings, discussions focused on themes that are easy to reach consensus, such as efforts to supply the new corona vaccine, in consideration of India, which is concerned about growing tensions with China, which borders on the border.
In the quad framework, in addition to countermeasures against the new coronavirus and climate change, we are trying to deepen cooperation in fields such as space and cyber that China is strengthening, high-speed and large-capacity communication standards, and advanced technologies such as 5G. is.
In addition, the United States is said to place importance on a framework for collaboration that covers various fields such as economic security and advanced technology throughout the Indo-Pacific region, which cannot be dealt with by conventional alliances and bilateral relations. I am.
On the other hand, the quad has not named China in previous joint statements and is considering Southeast Asian countries that do not want to sharpen the conflict between India and the United States and China, but a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China said that the quad was "obsolete Cold War thinking. It is full of people. "
What is "IPEF" advocated by the Biden administration?
IPEF is a new economic partnership that stands for Indo-Pacific, Economic, and Framework, and is called the "Indo-Pacific Economic Framework."
It was advocated by the Biden administration in the United States.
Originally, the United States was actively involved in the TPP = Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, but withdrew from negotiations during the Trump administration, and the Biden administration also returned to the agreement due to domestic circumstances such as consideration for workers and confrontation with parliament. It's negative.
For this reason, last year, we launched the IPEF concept as an alternative framework to the TPP.
The biggest aim is to counter China, which is becoming more influential.
In order to strengthen economic security, the United States has banned the export of semiconductors to Chinese high-tech companies that are said to be involved in military diversion, and in principle bans the import of products that are believed to have been produced by forced labor in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. We are introducing measures one after another.
The United States wants to establish such common standards and rules in the Indo-Pacific region and share its philosophy with each country.
The four pillars listed are ▽ trade including digital, ▽ supply chain = supply network, ▽ clean energy / decarbonization, infrastructure, ▽ tax system / anti-corruption measures.
On the other hand, unlike the TPP, we do not negotiate the elimination or reduction of tariffs.
However, challenges have been pointed out in the IPEF initiative.
The Biden administration has been discussing with each country that it will launch IPEF at an early stage, but the coordination with Southeast Asian countries, which have close economic ties with China, has been delayed, and how far the participating countries will expand. , It is said that it is uncertain whether the aim of countering China can be fully realized.
In some Southeast Asian countries, participation in the US-led IPEF may affect trade with China, and there is no elimination or reduction of tariffs, so it is difficult to obtain the benefits of expanding exports to the US. It seems that there are countries that see it.
For this reason, according to people familiar with the matter, the Biden administration has changed the policy of encouraging countries to participate by relaxing the conditions for participating in IPEF talks so that they can choose the fields they want to participate in instead of all four pillars.
Under these circumstances, China shook the United States by enacting RCEP = Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in January with Japan and Southeast Asian countries, and also applying for membership in the TPP, which does not have the United States last fall. I am.
What is the difference between "TPP" and "RCEP"?
日本が加わるこの地域での経済連携協定には、TPP＝環太平洋パートナーシップ協定とRCEP＝地域的な包括的経済連携があります。
4年前に発効したTPPは、日本のほか、オーストラリアやカナダなどアジア太平洋地域の11か国による経済連携協定です。
当初はアメリカも交渉に参加していましたが、トランプ政権時代に離脱。
一方で、去年、イギリスが加盟申請を行ったほか、中国と台湾なども相次いで申請しました。
また、日本や中国、韓国など東アジアを中心に15か国が参加するRCEPは、世界のGDPと人口のおよそ30％をカバーし、世界最大規模の自由貿易圏です。
TPPやRCEPでは関税の撤廃や引き下げで市場開放を進めることになっていますが、IPEFは関税の交渉は対象になっていません。
▽TPP11か国
▼締約国
日本、シンガポール、ニュージーランド、カナダ、オーストラリア、ベトナム、ペルー、メキシコ
▼未締約国
ブルネイ、チリ、マレーシア
▼加入申請
イギリス、中国、台湾、エクアドル
▽RCEP15か国
▼発効
日本、ブルネイ、カンボジア、ラオス、シンガポール、タイ、ベトナム、オーストラリア、中国、ニュージーランド、韓国、マレーシア
▼未発効
インドネシア、フィリピン、ミャンマー
専門家「IPEF バイデン政権ができる最大限の取り組み」
Kurt Tong, who was once involved in the TPP negotiations at the US State Department, said that IPEF is the maximum effort the Biden administration can do in the current domestic situation, even though there are challenges.
Mr. Ton said, "The current political situation in the United States is not in an environment where a trade agreement can be concluded." He pointed out that returning to the TPP as it is is not realistic.
He added, "Frankly, IPEF isn't as meaningful as the TPP, but it's the best thing America can do now. It tries to get involved in the economic development of the Indo-Pacific region, especially Southeast Asia, to the extent politically possible. Despite the challenges of not including the elimination or reduction of tariffs, the Byden administration said it was the maximum effort it could take without the approval of the parliament.
In addition, regarding the construction of a strong supply chain = supply network, which is one of the pillars of IPEF, "It can bring a sense of security that friendly countries can rely on each other. It is neither TPP nor RCEP and can be expected to be fruitful. It will be a field of cooperation. "
On the other hand, regarding the concern that the United States, which is forced to respond to the situation in Ukraine, may not be able to fully focus on China, "how to balance the important issues and the urgent issues is always a problem. ".
He added, "One of the most important issues to deal with in collaboration with countries that share values is how to deal with aggression by tyrannical states. The situation in Ukraine seems to distract attention from US Asian policy. It may seem like, but it's actually the same problem, "he said, pointing out that Russia's response to a military invasion is similar to its response to China.