Diet Discussion on Takaichi’s Visit to the U.S.

Committee on Budget in the Upper House of the Diet on March 25th had an intensive discussion on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to the United States and meeting with President Donald Trump. Takaichi explained why she praised Trump as a peacemaker, but avoided legal evaluation on U.S. attack on Iran. She did not say that Japan would or would not send troops to the Strait of Hormuz. 

“Donald is the only person who can bring peace and prosperity across the world,” Takaichi said in the meeting with Trump at the White House on March 19th. In the discussion of the committee, Takaichi explained that she had thought that it would be Trump who could lead the war in Middle East to a peace or improve international economy. She later corrected her description of “war in Middle East” to “battle in Middle East.” She revealed that she decided to use that expression while she sleeplessly deliberated on the plane from Tokyo to Washington.

 

From the beginning of U.S. attack on Iran, Takaichi has been defying to say her recognition on whether it would violate international laws. Asked about her legal assessment after the visit to the U.S., Takaichi argued that it would be difficult to conclude it, because it would depend on discussion of experts or international community. “Foreign countries realize that legal assessment does not contribute to their national interest,” asserted Takaichi.

 

In the statement on February 28th, Trump justified U.S. attack on Iran as “to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.” An opposition committee member asked Takaichi whether she asked Trump about what was the “imminent threat” for the U.S. Takachi answered that she asked it and heard about what the threat was, but refused to tell about the details of it, because it would touch on diplomatic sensitivity.

 

Before the trip to the U.S., Takaichi told in a Diet discussion that she would ask Trump about the threat. The opposition member of the committee asked Takaichi that the threat might have been about nuclear program of Iran. Takaichi did not give any hint to that question. “I certainly understand that the United States thinks nuclear development to be a problem,” Takaichi plainly said.

 

One of the great questions in Japan is whether Japan will send its self-defense force to the Strait of Hormuz for mine sweeping after possible ceasefire. In the discussion of the committee, Takaichi stressed that her government had decided nothing. “It is unclear whether the parties agree on ceasefire or not. Watching situation, we will decide along with legal requirement, including definition of mine sweeping,” said Takaichi with a general argument that sweeping abandoned mine would not be recognized as a use of force.

 

However, it is not easy for Japanese government to determine when the agreement on a ceasefire will surely become effective. Takaichi is still in the middle of Trump’s request for Japan’s contribution in the Strait of Hormuz and legal limitation on activities of self-defense force.

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