Weekly address to Ambassador Joseph Nye

Monday - January 26, 2009

Ambassador Nye, this is my second address to you regarding US - Japan Equal Alliance.

Twelve days ago American Ambassador Thomas Schieffer made his farewell speech at the Japan National Press Club. In his speech Ambassador Shieffer presented his views on the US-Japan relationship.

His speech covered all issues concerning our past, present and future relationship. Ambassador Nye you will soon face these same issues once you step on to Japanese soil this spring.

The American Ambassador must talk to ordinary people who don’t have an official role in government. As spokesman for Falcons Society, I will provide our side of the issues to American diplomats in the hope that we can all perceive the differences between us. We hope that we can work together and accomplish our goal within your first four years as Ambassador from America to Japan.

I present the following 13 items. Not in order of importance and additions will be made when deemed necessary.

1) Does the current global financial crisis and severe recession we are all facing change US-Japan relationship in any way?

2) Can America and Japan stand together? Do Japan and United States have yet to reconcile with each other vis-à-vis the Pacific War?

3) Presently, is the beef dispute damaging our relationship? Is the Comfort Woman Resolution passed by the US House of Representatives in 2007 not damaging our relationship?

4) Our people suffered psychological effects from the Atomic bombs dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We have a strong distrust for the American government’s judgment since then.

5) Will the American nuclear umbrella protect Japan forever? Will Washington risk New York for Tokyo? Does the United States support a nuclear Japan? If not, does it mean Japan should not be an independent state to decide whether it should acquire nuclear weapons?

6) Is American military presence in Japan a “Bear Hug” policy?

7) Can we reduce the number of US troops in Okinawa without losing the capacity of the United States to defend Japan or keep the peace in Asia?

8) Does Japan need to boost its defense role as the US has requested?

9) Should Japan take a lead role as the world order is changing? For instance are boots of the Japanese military on the ground in Afghanistan needed?

10) Should Japan revise her Pacifist Constitution Article 9 once and for all in order to establish a collective self-defense?

11) Is Japan breaking away from the U.S.? Is America interfering in Japan’s domestic and international issues?

12) Japan should have her own Declaration of Independence and revised Japanese Constitution.

13) “Yes we can” but there will be conditions.

I will see you all next week. Thank you.