Jul 27 08:14 AM US/EasternTOKYO, July 27 (AP) - (Kyodo) — The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan gave an assurance Monday that it would not seek radical changes to Japan-U.S. diplomatic relations if it comes to power following the Aug. 30 general election, saying the bilateral relationship will remain the "cornerstone" of Japan's foreign policy.
DPJ policy chief Masayuki Naoshima said in unveiling the party's policy platform in Tokyo that a DPJ-led government would not renege on a pact reached between the two countries on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan.
"Diplomacy would be ruined if a new government immediately changes the direction of foreign policy or deviates from past practice," he told reporters. "Japan-U.S. ties will remain as the linchpin and if (DPJ leader Yukio) Hatoyama becomes prime minister, he should build confidence with (U.S. President Barack) Obama so as to avoid any misunderstanding."
In the manifesto, the DPJ says it will aim for "a close and equal" Japan-U.S. alliance and will "review" the realignment of U.S. forces as well as the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. But the policy head admitted it would be difficult to overhaul the realignment process soon.
Compared with the government led by the Liberal Democratic Party, the DPJ would seek to carry out diplomacy "more independently," Naoshima said. Tokyo should be "more assertive" in negotiating with Washington and the diplomatic process should be "more transparent" to win public understanding, he added.
Turning to economic issues, the manifesto said the party would seek to seal a free trade agreement with the United States to promote the liberalization of bilateral trade and investment.
A Japan-U.S. FTA has been advocated by business circles in the two countries, but the idea has been opposed by farmers in Japan because such a pact would cause a sharp increase in cheap imports of U.S. agricultural products.
Naoshima said it would not be easy to sign an FTA with the United States, but indicated the pact would be necessary to boost bilateral ties.
Meanwhile, Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka said he expects continuity in Japan's foreign policy to be ensured following the election for the House of Representatives.
With the DPJ facing its best chance ever of taking power for the first time, the ministry's top bureaucrat told a press conference the Japan- U.S. alliance is the basis of the country's foreign policy and that it should have "the wide support of the public."
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