Visit to three Southeast Asian capitals - prime minister's first foreign
trip - is seen as a bid to strengthen Tokyo's hand in dealing with Beijing
The last time he was prime
minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe's inaugural foreign trip was to China. In the job
again six years later and relations with Beijing now chilly, Abe is now turning
first to Southeast Asia's rising economic stars.
A hawkish Abe wants them to help
counterbalance China's growing might at a time when Japan needs new sources of
growth for its languishing economy and is debating whether to make its military
more muscular.
Abe arrived in Hanoi yesterday,
where he was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and other top
Vietnamese officials in a visit lasting less than 24 hours. He will then head
to Thailand and Indonesia, in an attempt to bolster relations with the vibrant
economies of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations bloc.
Experts warn he will have to
tread carefully during his trip to avoid provoking Beijing by appearing to try
to "contain" China.
Beijing is also scouring the
region in search of new investment and trade opportunities and sources of raw
materials. But it is also clashing with countries in the region over territorial
disputes in the South China Sea, as well as with Japan over tiny isles in the
East China Sea.
Tokyo "is trying to solidify
its relations with other countries in the region and strengthen its bargaining
power before talking to China", said Narushige Michishita, an associate
professor at the National Graduate Institute.
Japanese firms are already eyeing
Southeast Asia as an alternative to investment in China after a long-simmering
feud with Beijing over disputed islands in the East China Sea flared up last
year, sparking protests in China and hurting trade.
Abe has made it clear that
Asean's planned integration in 2015, creating a bloc with combined economies
worth US$2 trillion and a population of 600 million, is a significant lure for
a Japanese economy trapped in deflation for decades and whose population is
ageing fast and shrinking. He also says, however, that he wants to go beyond
mere economic ties and expand relations in the security field.
"Japan's path since the end
of the second world war has been to firmly protect democracy and basic human
rights and stress the rule of law," Abe told NHK public TV on Sunday.
"I want to emphasise the importance of strengthening ties with countries
that share such values."
One issue that could come up is a
maritime "code of conduct" that the United States has urged China and
its Southeast Asian neighbours to agree upon as a step towards reducing
tensions.
"Japan should play a more
significant, responsible role not only for the prosperity but also stability in
this part of the world," said Kunihiko Miyake, a former diplomat close to
Abe.
Abe has said that he wants to
improve ties with Beijing despite his tough stand over the islands dispute. But
some warn his rhetoric worries Southeast Asian countries whose economies are
increasingly linked to China's.
"What is the point of making
an enemy of China?" said Hitoshi Tanaka, a former diplomat who is now
chairman of the Institute for International Strategy in Tokyo. "It is not
smart diplomacy."
Abe will need to reassure his
hosts that he will not let the islands row with China get out of hand despite
his hawkish security stance and his desire to revise Japan's take on its
wartime history with a less apologetic tone.
"Abe might be seen as
revisionist but this should not influence the dispute as all countries in the
region would rather focus on economic development than see this conflict
deteriorate," said Damrong Kraikuan, director general of the Thai foreign
ministry's East Asia affairs department.
Reuters in Tokyo and Jakarta
Business & Investment Opportunities
Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd (SBC) is incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Strategy, Investment and Management, focusing Health care and Life Science with expertise in ASEAN 's area. We are currently changing the platform of www.yourvietnamexpert.com, if any request, please, contact directly Dr Christian SIODMAK, business strategist, owner and CEO of SBC at christian.siodmak@gmail.com. Many thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment