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Japan: Political Leadership on Base Greatly Lacking |
| Source: |
yomiuri.co.jp |
| Source Date: |
Tuesday, February 07, 2012 |
| Focus: |
ICT for MDGs
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| Country: |
Japan |
| Created: |
Feb 14, 2012 |
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We cannot fully depend on the current government led by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to advance the planned relocation of the functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to the Henoko district of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture.
The government does not seem competent enough to take advantage of the ongoing review of the plan to realign U.S. forces in Japan to obtain the understanding of Okinawa Prefecture residents--a prerequisite for relocation.
In the Cabinet reshuffle last month, Noda replaced then-Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa, a member of the House of Councillors, with fellow upper house member Naoki Tanaka. The defense minister serves as the key coordinator on the relocation issue, but at the time of his appointment, Ichikawa publicly admitted he was an amateur on defense issues.
Since assuming the post, Tanaka has often demonstrated that he lacks fundamental knowledge of Japan's defense and security issues and the Japan-U.S. alliance.
Although careful coordination is necessary for the Futenma issue, Tanaka has often made careless remarks.
Tanaka therefore has been a constant target of attacks by the opposition bloc during the ongoing Diet session. He is "not good enough to wield his leadership in line with the ruling Democratic Party of Japan's advocacy of policymaking led by politicians," a high-ranking government official said.
In addition, the previous Okinawa Defense Bureau chief was dismissed late last year after making improper remarks despite being the head of the local office dealing with the relocation issue.
His successor, Ro Manabe, has also lost the confidence of the prefecture's residents after advising subordinates to vote in the Ginowan mayoral election on Sunday.
The structure to back up the administration is also weak. Since it was founded in 1998, the DPJ has often seen its members split over political and national security issues. One of the party's weak points is that very few members--from high-ranking to junior levels--attach importance to the Japan-U.S. alliance.
Since Noda became prime minister, the government has yet to set up a research commission on security to discuss diplomatic and security issues from a mid- and long-term perspective.
Some high-ranking government officials said it was time for the government to regroup to advance the Futenma issue.
However, as the current defense minister has just assumed the post, there is no way to replace him, putting the government in a deadlock.
The most important point lying ahead is obtaining approval to reclaim land in state-owned waters off the Henoko district, permission that must be given by Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima.
There is still no prospect of persuading the governor to give his approval at a time when residents of the prefecture distrust the central government.
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Japan: Political Leadership on Base Greatly Lacking We cannot fully depend on the current government led by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to advance the planned relocation of the functions of the U.S Marine Corps Futenma Air Station to the Henoko district of Nago Okinawa Prefecture
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