By Channel NewsAsia's Japan Bureau Chief Michiyo Ishaida |
Posted: 21 September 2009 1717 hrs
TOKYO : Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who took office on September 16, will make his international debut in New York.
He left Tokyo on Monday to attend the UN General Assembly in New York, where all eyes will be on the controversial figure, who has already caused a stir in Japan.
Hatoyama's essay titled "My Political Philosophy" left many people perplexed. He hinted that Japan should seek political and economic independence, in a world stuck between the US and China.
Since World War II, Japan has been the US strongest ally.
Japan is ruled by a pacifist constitution, and is protected under the US nuclear umbrella.
But now, PM Hatoyama wants to scale down Japan's military operations, and work more closely with its Asian neighbours.
The Democratic party of Japan (DPJ) wants to withdraw the Self-Defence Force from its refuelling mission in the Indian Ocean after its January deadline.
It also wants to reconsider the arrangement with the US, particularly in Okinawa, where it has its largest military presence in Asia.
The memory of crimes committed by US servicemen on Okinawa lingers on. And many locals oppose the presence of American military bases there.
"Past governments have been rather lenient on that issue. The new government wants to be more strict and assertive, taking national sovereignty in criminal cases. That may be good for the nation. But it will irritate the Americans," said Masashi Nishihara, president of the Research Institute for Peace and Security.
While in the US, Hatoyama will meet President Barack Obama for the first time.
There is speculation what the new Japanese prime minister will offer, to mark the beginning of a new relationship.
"Instead of saying the government would want to withdraw its ships from the Indian Ocean, it should also come up with alternatives to Japanese contribution to Afghan issue. Since US allies are having a hard time in Afghanistan, it should offer some kind of help so that alliance can be maintained," said Nishihara.
The UN General Assembly will be a platform for Prime Minister Hatoyama to elaborate on Japan's new foreign policy.
World leaders will also be keen to find out about his plans for Japan on the international scene. - CNA /ls
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