Lesson 151

Foreign Policy of Japan

Under the conservative government which has been in power throughout most of the postwar period, the aim of Japanese foreign policy has been to secure prosperity and stability both at home and on international scenes.

To these ends, Japan directs its efforts in a three-fold role; as a member of the United Nations, as a member of the Free World, and as a member of the Asian community of nations.

As a member of the United Nations, Japan has pledged its wholehearted cooperation in strengthening the authority of the U. N. as the guardian of world peace.

As a member of the Free World, Japan has sought close relations of friendship with the free nations, with which it shares common political beliefs.

And, as a member of the Asian community of nations, Japan has attached special importance to maintaining good neighborly relations with other Asian countries.

1 Thus, while the problem of its defense may continue to be a matter of future discussions between the

1 United States and Japan, Japan has been seeking to consolidate its economic ties with nearly all nations, a policy which contrasts dramatically with that of the prewar Japan.

Agricultural Commodities

Japan-United States Security Treaty

2 The first Japan-United States Security Treaty was signed at the same time as the Peace Treaty on September 8, 1951. It provided for the stationing of the United States land, air, and sea forces in or around Japan, to be used in the interest of preservation of international peace in the Far East, to defend Japan and, at the request of the Japanese Government, to put down internal riots fomented from abroad. The Treaty was signed for an indefinite period. 1

The Treaty did not require that the United States consult Japan before deploying military forces stationed in Japan and expressly denied Japan the right to lease bases to a third power. Many Japanese were dismayed by the expectations implicit in the Treaty that Japan would rearm, which were in direct contradiction to the previous American policy of disarming Japan.

2 subsequent administrative agreements, became a favorite target of the leftist opposition in the Diet, who represented it as symbolizing the submission of Japan to the United States. A number of provisions of the Treaty on implementing agreements were in fact vulnerable to criticism in Japan. These were the extraterritorial character of the status of American servicemen in Japan; the provision allowing the use of American troops to quell foreign-inspired riots; the absence of a time limit for the Treaty and of any explicit stipulations that Japan had to be consulted before American troops were deployed; and the provision that Japan could not enter into any military commitment with a third power while the Treaty remained in effect.

2 The New Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security was signed in Washington, D. C. on January 19, 1960. Unlike the 1951 Treaty, the 1960 Treaty provided for a ten-year limit for its operation, after which it can be revoked upon one year’s notice by either party. The provision for the use of American troops in internal disturbances and

the one which forbade any Japanese military agreement with third powers were omitted. The Treaty included general provisions on the further development of international cooperation and free institutions and on improved future economic cooperation.

The attack against renewal of the Treaty was launched by the Left-wing Socialist party and taken up by the Communists. It was favored by the mounting tensions of the cold war, which reached a climax in the agitation over the U-2 incident and the failure of the summit Paris Conference in the spring of 1960. Popular feeling was fanned by propaganda and diplomatic pressure exercised by the Soviet Union and Communist China which threatened dire consequences to Japan if it allowed the continuation of American bases on its soil.

2 Fear of nuclear war is another factor which works to the disadvantage of the United States in Japan and provides a major theme for the propaganda of the Communists and other anti-American elements. The only country ever subjected to nuclear bombardment, Japan has been in the

forefront of international campaigns to stop nuclear testing. Popular anxiety over atomic fallout was aggravated by the injuries suffered by crew members of the fishing vessel Fukuryuu Maru during the United States atomic tests in the Marshall Islands in 1954.

Treaties in Force
1 January 1965
Between the United States and Japan

The 1951 Treaty, which was implemented by

Amami Islands

Atomic Energy

Aviation

Claims
Nuclear test, AWA MARU, etc.

Consuls

Defense

Economic and Technical Aids

Education

Extradition

Finance

Fisheries

Investment Guaranties

Maritime Matters

Technical Mission

Narcotic drugs

Patents

Postal matters

Property
Payment of damage caused by United States aircraft
Perpetual lease.

Publication

Satellites

Shellfish

Smuggling

Taxation

Trade and commerce

Visas

Guide for Free Conversation and Exercise

1 Topics:

a Talk about the following topics in Japanese with your classmates.

(1) The U.S.-Japan Security Pact

(2) The U.S.-Japan Air Agreement

(3) Japan’s surrender to Allied Forces

2 Exercise:

a Interpretation Exercise

(1) Was America the main constituent of GHQ?

(1) はい、連合軍総司令部は アメリカを 主体としていました。

(2) While Japan was placed under the control of GHQ, what kind of influence did Japan receive?

(2) 日本は 政治、経済、教育など あらゆる面で、アメリカの 強い 影響を 受けました。

(3) When did Japan regain her independence?

(3) 一九五二年 四月二十八日、対日平和条約が 発効して、日本は 独立を 回復しました。

(4) What kind of agreement was the first United States-Japan Air Agreement?

(4) 日本側は アメリカ西海岸の サンフランシスコ、ロスアンゼルスまでの 乗り入れしか 認められない 不平等なものだと 言っていました。

(5) What did Japan desire?

(5) アメリカ大陸を 横断して、ニューヨーク、さらに ヨーロッパへの 航路 開設を 希望しました。

Homework

1 Study the Narration thoroughly and memorize the vocabulary.

2 Read the Guide for Free Conversation and do the exercises given.

3 Learn to read and write the new Kanji.

4 Read the Cultural Notes.