Japan’s next government

A piece published by Xinhau yesterday discusses a change on the horizon for Japan. Polls show that the Liberal Democratic Party (ldp), which has been in power since 1955, will likely be ousted by the Democratic Party of Japan (dpj):

If the dpj does win the election, it is likely, argued Jeff Kingston, a professor of Asian studies at Temple University, that there will be changes in Japan’s foreign policy and international relations, particularly the nation’s relationship with the United States.The dpj … seems more likely than the ldp to generate tension with the United States. In particular, the dpj “will expose the secret agreement that allows the U.S. to routinely violate the three non-nuclear principles.”Japan’s three non-nuclear principles are not possessing, producing or permitting the bringing-in of nuclear weapons on its soil. However, over recent years, documents from the United States and statements by former government ministers have pointed to the existence of a pact that allowed the United States military to carry nuclear weapons in Japanese waters. Revealing the documents is unlikely to have disastrous consequences, but it will mark a change in the way Japan deals with its ally.

Earlier this month we wrote about the upcoming election and the change it portends in Japan’s foreign policy:

The shift in Japan’s priorities—away from the U.S. security alliance and toward stronger ties with the surrounding “kings of the east”—is not new, but it will likely gather momentum under [dpj leader Yukio] Hatoyama. Despite current Western orientation, and the security relationship Tokyo has maintained with Washington since World War ii, Japan has deeply-rooted Eastern ideologies, and will ultimately return to its roots.Culturally and religiously, Japan has considerably more in common with China than with the U.S. The tendency of nations to align with other nations of similar heritage, religion and culture is widely recognized. Respected expert in international relations Samuel Huntington wrote the following in his defining book, The Clash of Civilizations: “In coping with identity crisis, what counts for people are blood and belief, faith and family. People rally to those with similar ancestry, religion, language, values and institutions and distance themselves from those with different ones.”This is why Yukio Hatoyama’s desire to cultivate a greater rapport with China is significant. A strengthening of Sino-Japanese relations is on the horizon. For further insight into the future of Asia, read our free booklet Russia and China in Prophecy.

The election will be held on Sunday.