Japan-U.S. summit talks dismiss all criticisms -- Akahata editorial, February 19, 2002

In the Japan-U.S. summit talks, Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro pledged total support for the U.S. Bush administration which has declared that its war on terror is to be expanded.

The U.S. president reiterated his view that Iraq, Iran, and North Korea constitute an "axis of evil." He made clear that the United States will not hesitate to use military force, emphasizing that it will "seize the moment, and do it." He also said that "all options are on the table and that I will keep all options on the table."

The prime minister extolled the president's position as a manifestation of the "firm resolve of President Bush and the United States against terrorism," and stated that he will continue to support the United States as an ally.

Hostile to criticism from Europe

Criticism of the U.S. president's "axis of evil" threat is not only from China and Russia but from every corner of the world, including U.S. allies in Europe such as France and Germany.

This was brought up in a reporter's question during the joint press conference following the summit talks. The reporter pointed out that the French foreign minister called the remarks "simplistic" and suggested that the statement not be internationally supported.

The U.S. president dismissed the concern by citing the U.S. secretary of state's characterization of the criticism as a case of the "vapors." This is how he declared that the United States will expand its retaliatory war.

The prime minister has pledged unconditional support for it.

This is why the president lauded Prime Minister Koizumi as a "friend whose word he trusts," and stressed the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance in calling on Japan to further support the U.S. war, which is not limited to the retaliatory war against Afghanistan.

This clearly shows what a dangerous role Japan is going to play when the United States is getting more isolated because of the growing international criticism of the U.S. Bush administration.

The prime minister also put emphasis on the need to maintain close coordination with the United States in dealing with North Korea.

Can Japan achieve normalization of relations with North Korea while expressing submission to the president who indicates possible military strikes against North Korea as part of an "axis of evil"?

Nothing is more irresponsible than this attitude toward peace and stability in Asia.
On the Japanese economy, the prime minister said that his "reform" policy has won support and encouragement from the president.

Prompt write-offs of non-performing loans held by major banks, which the prime minister promised to the president, and other Koizumi reforms are actually to blame for making the Japanese economy go wrong.

Nevertheless, the prime minister says he will continue with this disastrous policy at a time when the world shows concerns about the possible danger of Japan triggering a global depression.

In this respect, the summit talks are calamitous to Japan and the rest of the world.

The Japan-U.S. summit talks showed that the two summiteers, one from the internationally isolated United States, and the other representing a cabinet which is rapidly losing popular support, are a calamity both to world peace and to the Japanese economy, as the two refuse to listen to worldwide criticism.

Not qualified to govern

The international community strictly prohibits any country from using internal affairs as reason for militarily attacking another country. It is an illegal action violating the United Nations Charter and international law.

The U.S. president has publicly stated that the United States will resort to such an illegal action. Far from objecting to it, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed unconditional support for it. This is tantamount to pledging to act as an outlaw partner of the U.S. Bush administration.

The Koizumi Cabinet, which has revealed itself more clearly than ever to be harmful to peace in Asia and the world by its misgovernment, is not qualified to maintain the helm of state affairs. (end)