PACIFIC PERSPECTIVE: THE BUSH/KAIFU SUMMIT : A Japan That Actually May Say <i> No</i> : A Battle in Common

What is missing from this summit is the recognition that Japan-American relations are greatly troubled, mostly by the fact that mutual distrust between the American and Japanese publics is at an all-time high. Regarding the Gulf War, most Americans think Japan did too little, too late, while many Japanese feel that Kaifu did too much, too soon. Much resentment is simmering under the surface of the relationship.

While Japan’s trade surplus with the United States is surely decreasing, the trade imbalance is still intolerably large. The problem in the relationship is that Japanese and Americans need to face common challenges together and build a social bond. Unfortunately, a tremendous opportunity was lost in the Saudi desert to see the Japanese stand together with Americans and the rest of the world against a brutal dictator.

If Kaifu and Bush can do anything great, it would be to find a convincing common battle--the deteriorating global environment, AIDS, poverty and starvation in the underdeveloped nations, among many other battles--that Japan and the United States can fight together. That might begin to make these summits matter.