Japan stay what it means for the Indian Ocean

With the new anti-terrorism special measures Japan method to 15 may usher in a period of validity of the last day, Japan Defense Minister Kitazawa handsome 15, publication orders, to withdraw in the Indian Ocean in the United States and other countries to fuel supply ships activities of self-defense fleet. It is not on the Japan-US relations have practical effects, but Japan domestic re-throw the overseas dispatch of self-defense.

Overseas lull "fuel"

For the second world war and Japan's post-war launched peace Constitution, imposed exclusively defensive policy, to the overseas dispatch of self-defense has been a topic of concern.

Indian Ocean refueling activities have special properties. This activity is the United States in 2001 to "9 · 11" event as an opportunity to begin after the "war on terror" in support of the United States and Japan. The dispatch and 2004 dispatch to Iraq SDF Japan after the war, became the first in time of war to the overseas dispatch of self-defense and the first overseas combat zone dispatch SDF Japan after the war, marks a major turning point in the defense policy. This has triggered in Japan domestic is unconstitutional, etc., are also affected by suffered aggressions of Asian countries Japan.

Dispatch to Iraq SDF has completely finished in 2008. Since then, the self-defense forces in the Indian Ocean for oil activity is especially outstanding. KITAZAWA 15, evacuation order for up to 8 years for oil painting a full stop.

Does not affect the Japan-US relations

To representatives of the Democratic Party (Democratic) Hatoyama as Prime Minister of Japan new Government after taking office last September, a change in the past Liberal Government's position, declared "not simply extend" self-defense in the Indian Ocean for oil activities. But the United States Government has repeatedly expressed the hope that Japan will continue to fuel supply. Indian Ocean oil problems became and Okinawa futenma effect together with the transfer of the Japan-US relations, one of the key issues.

However, the United States in dealing with oil and the attitude of the futenma issue. For futenma issue, the United States is strongly call on the Japanese side as scheduled transfer futenma base; for oil, the United States is generally expressed their wish to continue. This difference in late October last year, the United States Defense Secretary Gates interview day become very obvious. For futenma issue, gates was not only emphasize the existing plan is the only viable option, but also that there is no transfer of futenma base has no US military integration. But for the oil problem, he just said, the United States looks forward to Japan on Afghanistan and Pakistan to conduct effective aid, for which the assistance is the Japan Government decide things.

14 November last year, the United States President Barack Obama in Japan a new regime took power after the first visit to Japan. Prior to this, the Japanese side on the same month 10, introduced new on c-aid policy. Under this new program, Japan will be in 5 years on Afghanistan implementation up to total 50 billion in aid to replace the previously the Japan Government has pledged 20 billion dollars aid; for Pakistan, the Government of Japan will be implemented over the next two years the total amount of up to $ 1 billion in aid.

Obama's visit, time of day on this scheme, this statement actually recognized a Japanese side to this assistance plans to replace the oil supply in the Indian Ocean.

Continue to think about "politics" in International Affairs

Of course, announcing the end of oil activity does not mean that the Democratic Party is opposed to the overseas dispatch of self-defense.

Previously, as the largest opposition party of the Democratic Party opposes oil activities more out of political struggle. It is due to the Democratic Party-led opposition parties opposed to oil activities are based on anti-terrorism special measures law in November 2007 the 4th could not be postponed and fail, the Government of Japan had withdrawn from the Indian Ocean at a self-defense. January 2008, the then ruling LDP and new komeito party by virtue of the House of two-thirds majority to second voting through new anti-terrorism special measures law, allows for oil activities be sustained for a year.

It is precisely because the Democratic Party in fuel issues consistently opposed position, coupled with joint ruling Social Democrats also hold the same position, to the Democratic Party as the core of the new Government took office, before taking a withdrawal of self-defense.

But on the other hand, the Democratic Party took power in the overseas dispatch of the SDF's attitude changed significantly. For example, for the LDP era began contributing to Somali waters self-defense against the pirates, the Democratic Party has accepted it.

For the Government stops oil activities, Japan had different assessment of the country. Some media have all sorts of critical remarks, such as oil activities cost far less than the new c-aid policy and new policy "price" is too low; new aid policy only "checkbook diplomacy", in other countries appear to be punished; stop fuel will allow Japan to exit a line in the fight against terrorism and cooperation of other States, loss of counter-terrorism intelligence sources, etc.

However, should strengthen the contribution of the "international Japan", Japan political consensus. Hatoyama 15, issued a statement said that Japan will continue to serve the international community to make a positive contribution to the fight against terrorism. KITAZAWA indicated that the Ministry of Defense will make the future "international contribution to the" research "on". In the ruling coalition of Social Democrats on the overseas dispatch of self-defense remain cautious attitude, Hatoyama regime in military contribution to strengthen the "international" deserves attention.