Tag: Japan

  • Impact of Biden’s Xenophobia Comment on Asian Politics

    Impact of Biden’s Xenophobia Comment on Asian Politics

    The United States Presidential race is heating up. President Joe Biden, appearing aged and sluggish, intends to seek another term for the presidential role. The Democrat, known for his pro-migration stance, consistently supports and welcomes immigrants. Biden’s recent comment favoring the country’s migration policy, in comparison with Asia, is emerging as a controversial topic in the political sphere. At last week’s event to raise funds for his 2024 re-election campaign, Biden remarked that their welcoming stance towards immigrants was a contributing factor to their growth of the economy. He proceeded with the economic struggles of China, Japan, Russia, and India, attributing them to their xenophobic reluctance to accept immigrants. Biden underscored the strength immigrants bring to a nation, but with negative comments on rivals China and Russia, and interestingly towards Japan and India. Such a seemingly casual remark from a seasoned politician has the potential to impact foreign relationships badly.

    Biden’s comments against Asian countries’ xenophobia, were only meant to target Trump’s policies, but they made news in the Asian political landscape. Despite Russia, China, and India being multi-ethnic countries historically welcoming foreigners, their immigration policies do not resemble those of the United States or Western countries today. These countries’ stringent immigration laws and high population numbers coupled with a low job market, make them unattractive destinations for migration. These countries have significant multi-ethnic cities, such as Hong Kong, Mumbai, and Moscow, but small cities and villages usually don’t have that multi ethnic color. Though these countries’ populations and religions are generally open to foreigners, their politicians often run campaigns against immigrants. The stringent regulations are directly linked with politics. The countries are notorious for campaigns against the US, and which is often referred to as Xenophobia. But the comments against these countries by Biden, used by politicians in these countries, are being used to further escalate anti-American sentiments. However, mentioning Japan in the comment, a staunch ally of the United States, adds an intriguing dimension to the discussion.

    Japan is more notorious for xenophobia than other countries in Biden’s comment, and historically, this trait has been visible in Japanese society. The nation, which prides itself on its homogeneity, has long been hesitant about immigration. However, its falling birth rate and rapidly aging population point to an acute labor shortage in the coming decades. Many experts believe that Japan’s lagging economy is a result of its strict regulations on immigration. In the case of Japan, Biden’s comment is actually true. However, Making a negative comment on Japan alongside comments about enemy nations is a blow for Japan. Japan has been described as “Regrettable”, the top government spokesperson said on Tuesday. Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, Yoshimasa Hayashi informed at a scheduled regular news conference that representations had been lodged with the United States. These representations indicated that the comment was not based on the correct understanding of Japan’s migration policy and was regrettable. Japan’s ties with its security ally, the United States, remain solid. Nevertheless, this type of comment will definitely affect people’s mood.

    Only a few weeks before, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Washington for a summit with Biden and unveiled plans for military cooperation and projects ranging from missiles to moon landings to strengthen ties with an eye toward countering China and Russia. At this time, mentioning Japan was an unnecessary move by Biden. At Least it doesn’t need  to be criticized along with the enemy states. China and Russia already have strained connections with America. Regarding India, they were moved towards the direction of the U.S. during Trump. But, Biden’s comment has already made headlines in India, and it could worsen the relationship. This is certainly a blunder by Biden at a time when strong alliances with Japan and India are needed to counter the growing influence of China and Russia in the continent. While Trump was accused by Biden of damaging foreign relations, Biden’s actions may be causing even more harm to the United States’ foreign relationships.

  • Does The LDP’s Loss In Elections Signal For Kishida’s Future?

    Does The LDP’s Loss In Elections Signal For Kishida’s Future?

    As he assumed office in late 2021, Fumio Kishida, the Prime Minister of Japan and president of the country’s ruling conservative party, the LDP, made promises of a “New Capitalism” and a stronger Japan abroad. He pledged solutions to the country’s demographic crisis and was widely welcomed on international stages as a strong leader from Japan following Shinzo Abe. However, now he finds himself navigating a sea of struggles, with no visible improvement in the economic and social situation, and the LDP experiencing a significant loss in crucial by-elections within their party strongholds. The main opposition party, the CDP, has won three seats formerly held by the LDP. The result is widely interpreted as voter anger and punishment for the LDP’s involvement in a years-long corruption saga. These losses coincide with Kishida’s struggle to rebuild support for his cabinet amidst voter discontent over inflation and the scandal. The defeats may dissuade him from calling a general election prior to the party leadership vote in September, where there’s a risk of him being replaced.

    Over the past two weeks, international media outlets have been celebrating Fumio Kishida for his efforts to foster collaboration among East Asian countries and his advocacy for the US’s global leadership role. Kishida may have found reassurance in the recent suggestion by US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell that he, along with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, should be considered joint recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize for their endeavors to confront their countries’ turbulent historical legacies and present a united front against nuclear-armed North Korea. Additionally, Prime Minister Kishida received acclaim for his speech to the US Congress. His address was met with cheers, marking him as only the second Japanese leader to speak before a joint session of Congress, following in the footsteps of Shinzo Abe. However, after his return to Tokyo following a productive summit with Joe Biden, Japan’s Prime Minister has encountered strong domestic political challenges. The yen’s plummet against the dollar, the persistent cost-of-living crisis, and uncertainties surrounding the funding of policies aimed at tackling Japan’s low birth rate and its most significant military buildup since the end of the war further exacerbate the situation.

    However, the most significant debate arises from a funding scandal, initially disclosed last year, which has emerged as a focal point for public outrage amid increasing doubts regarding Prime Minister Kishida’s capacity to lead the LDP to success in the upcoming lower house elections. Although the election is not scheduled for well over a year, the scandal, involving 85 LDP lawmakers who were discovered to have funneled undisclosed profits from ticket sales for party events into slush funds, has left Kishida with little room to maneuver. The party’s response to the slush fund debacle has consistently failed to convince the public, and there is scant reason to believe that planned reforms would reverse this trend. Efforts to mend the damage inflicted by the funding scandal, along with promises of reforming political funding regulations, have also proven ineffective in mitigating criticism from the media. Despite the punishment of 39 LDP lawmakers, Kishida evaded censure despite evidence indicating that his own faction had similarly underreported ticket sale, highlighting apparent double standards that risk inciting a factional power struggle, potentially leaving him politically wounded as he endeavors to secure his party’s endorsement as LDP president this autumn.

    The defeat in Shimane, along with victories for non-LDP candidates in other by-elections on Sunday, may ignite an early challenge to Kishida’s leadership as the party prepares for presidential elections in September, where the winner is automatically appointed prime minister. Despite generally positive feedback regarding his summit with Joe Biden earlier this month, three April surveys indicated that approval for Kishida’s cabinet fell well below the 30 percent threshold often considered a danger zone for Japanese premiers. Despite its robust economy, the country is experiencing turmoil within its political sphere. Now is a critical moment for Japan to confront these challenges head-on. Once the world’s second-largest economy, Japan risks being surpassed by numerous countries in the upcoming decades, which will undoubtedly impact the current trajectory of the nation. Therefore, these are valuable times for Japanese politicians to take action.

  • How to Understand the United States Military Exercises in China Seas

    How to Understand the United States Military Exercises in China Seas

    The world is once again experiencing a gradual polarization, yet unlike the past century, the shift is not unfolding primarily in Europe; rather, it is unfolding in Asia. Washington and Beijing have emerged as two major power centers, increasingly prioritizing their relationships with Asian countries. Military exercises are on the rise, with the United States continuously conducting such drills in waters surrounding China. These military exercises may form part of a multi-year training plan, such as those jointly established by defense authorities like the drills involving the US, Korea, and Japan. Some Military exercises are conducted annually, like those carried out by the United States and the Philippines, but they all contribute to escalating tensions in the region. The choice of locations and the actions within these drills exhibit heightened aggression, collectively sending a clear message to Beijing. Furthermore, China, Russia, and North Korea are actively preparing to counter US influence in the region.

    In recent days, the South Korean navy conducted joint naval drills with the United States and Japan in international waters south of Jeju Island, an island located in close proximity to China. The aim of these military drills was to improve joint operability against the nuclear and missile threats presented by North Korea. The military exercise comprised six warships, including the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, three Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, and two Aegis destroyers from South Korea and Japan. The primary emphasis of the military exercise lay in anti-submarine warfare training and improving responsiveness to North Korean underwater threats, including submarines and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Moreover, the three nations engaged in maritime interception training to curb the smuggling of weapons of mass destruction, alongside conducting search and rescue exercises.

    Since the Camp David summit in August, Washington has been strengthening military alliances with Seoul and Tokyo, stressing the importance of “Regularizing defensive exercises” to enhance trilateral responses to North Korean threats. The recent joint military drill follows naval exercises in January, during which a US aircraft carrier was similarly positioned south of Jeju in the East China Sea. While these trilateral naval exercises primarily aim to address North Korean threats, both Beijing and Moscow are closely monitoring the deepening military cooperation among the three allies. The area south of Jeju Island in the East China Sea holds strategic importance for China, as its navy must navigate near the island and the Japanese archipelago to access the Pacific Ocean. From the perspective of the United States, the southern part of Jeju serves as a strategic vantage point for monitoring North Korea, but its geopolitical significance also positions it as a potential means of checking China’s influence. From China’s viewpoint, the North Korean nuclear issue is not new, and the joint training exercises conducted by the three countries signify an attempt to assert influence and limit China’s regional aspirations. From Russia’s view, Vladivostok is situated closer to Jeju Island in the East China Sea than Moscow. 

    Military exercises in the South China Sea are also on the rise. China conducted military “Combat Patrols” in the disputed region, as confirmed by its army. This activity coincided with joint military drills conducted by the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia. Moreover, next week will witness extensive naval drills between the Philippines and the US, occurring amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea. With preparations underway, the possibility of military confrontations from the Chinese side cannot be ruled out. Nevertheless, the United States and its allies currently maintain clear dominance over the waters, as evidenced by their repeated naval exercises. China and its partners are shown their combined power and preparedness through these military drills.

  • How Japan’s Decline Will Impact Asia?

    How Japan’s Decline Will Impact Asia?

    Over the last century, Japan has undeniably stood out as a powerhouse in Asia, achieving remarkable progress in politics, military strength, economic prowess, and even in the world of sports. This archipelago nation not only solidified its position as a regional leader but also emerged as a source of inspiration and a standard for other Asian countries. In a period when traditional giants in Asia, such as China, India, and Persia, were striving for  recognition, Japan assumed the role of representing Asia on the global stage.

    Japan assumed a pivotal role in shaping Asia’s participation in international events, notably representing the continent in influential spectacles like the Olympics and the World Cup. During its heyday marked by creativity, unwavering quality, and an open market, Japan left an enduring imprint. This era metamorphosed into a paradigm that neighboring Asian nations aspired to emulate for their own advancement. Countries spanning the continent, including South Korea, China, and Singapore, found inspiration in Japan’s prosperity, endeavoring to adopt its model as a blueprint for their development.

    Nevertheless, Japan’s once-unassailable leadership in Asia is presently undergoing a transformation. Beneath the surface, the nation grapples with profound challenges not immediately evident to external observers. The persistent struggles faced by Japan serve as harbingers of a shifting landscape, prompting inquiries about its enduring dominance in the region. As Japan contends with complexities, the dynamics of power and influence in Asia are undeniably undergoing an evolution.

    As Japan’s recent decline is visible in Asia’s economic landscape, the nation finds itself relinquishing its coveted position in the top three global economies. The erstwhile standing as the world’s third-largest economy has been superseded by Germany, coupled with a slide into recession, according to recent data unveiled. The challenges faced by Japan encompass a feeble yen, compounded by the burden of an aging and diminishing population. The prevailing sentiment suggests that a resurgence is not on the horizon, with projections indicating a potential descent to the sixth or seventh position in the coming decades.

    In the nominal growth realm, Japan’s economy, now the world’s fourth-largest, exhibited a modest 1.9% expansion in 2023. However, when denominated in dollars, its gross domestic product (GDP) stood at $4.2 trillion, trailing behind Germany’s $4.5 trillion. This shift, occurring more than a decade after conceding the second spot to China, is attributed to the sharp depreciation of the yen against the dollar over the past two years. The substantial decline, approximately one-fifth against the US dollar in 2022 and 2023, including a 7% dip in the previous year, erodes profits on exports when repatriated.

    Compounding the economic challenges are the failures of government-led initiatives to stimulate the birthrate, exacerbating the anticipated labor shortages. Even as Japan experiences an unprecedented influx of foreign workers, the demographic trend remains a cause for concern. Yoshitaka Shindo, the Minister for Economic Revitalization, emphasized the imperative need for structural reforms, advocating for increased participation of women in full-time employment and the reduction of barriers to foreign investment.

    The data underscores the economic downturn, with real GDP contracting by 0.1% in the last quarter of 2023, driven by weak spending by households and businesses. Private consumption, constituting over half of Japan’s economic activity, declined by 0.2% as households grappled with the escalating cost of living and diminishing real wages. Furthermore, a downward revision of the growth figures for the preceding quarter to -0.8% confirms Japan’s entry into a technical recession, defined by two consecutive quarters of contraction. Reflecting on the optimistic projections of the 1970s and 80s, wherein Japan’s prowess in producing affordable, high-quality exports fueled speculation of surpassing the United States as the world’s leading economy, the current economic landscape presents a stark contrast to those bygone expectations.

    Rather than witnessing an anticipated resurgence, the rupture of Japan’s asset-inflated bubble economy in the early 1990s cast a shadow that extended across what has since been dubbed the “lost decades” of economic stagnation and deflation.

    In 2010, China’s ascent to the position of the world’s second-largest economy prompted a bout of introspection in Japan, forcing contemplation about its capacity to keep pace with emerging economies. The recent descent to the fourth spot, attributed to significant currency fluctuations, not only marks a setback for Japan but also deals a blow to the self-esteem of the nation and its already unpopular prime minister, Fumio Kishida. Unfortunately, this downward trajectory is unlikely to find its nadir there. The International Monetary Fund projects that India, buoyed by a sizable and expanding young population, will surpass Japan in economic rankings by 2026, with Germany following suit the subsequent year.

    The Nikkei, in a recent editorial, laments Japan’s failure to elevate its growth potential, a situation economists squarely attribute to the demographic crisis facing the nation. Describing this circumstance as a wake-up call, the Nikkei urges a swifter implementation of long-neglected economic reforms to address the underlying challenges. As Japan grapples with these economic shifts, the unfolding narrative suggests a critical juncture demanding renewed attention and decisive actions to navigate the turbulent waters of a changing global economic landscape.

    At the political echelon, Japan’s diminishing stature heralds a reduction in its influence within the region. Historically, Japan has stood as a pivotal ally for the United States, facilitating the projection of American influence throughout the region. However, as Japan undergoes a decline, it is likely to grant the United States a more prominent role in shaping policies within Japan, potentially prompting the U.S. to seek additional robust alliances in the region.

    In this geopolitical environment, China and India stand out as powerful actors, and other nations—including Russia—align themselves with one of these powerful forces. China and India are both aggressively expanding their areas of influence through international investments and infrastructure projects. What’s interesting is that these Asian superpowers seem less eager to build closer connections with the US, which could lead to the rise of a multipolar Asia.

    The waning influence of Japan introduces a nuanced shift in the geopolitical dynamics, creating space for recalibrations and realignments in alliances. As the United States navigates this evolving landscape, the quest for alternative strategic partnerships becomes increasingly pertinent, highlighting the intricate interplay of power, influence, and alliances in shaping the future geopolitical contours of the Asian region.