Newsletter No. 596
News-Analysis
April 30, 2007

 

SUMMARY OF EVENTS IN JAPANESE-ISLAMIC RELATIONS FOR MARCH 2007

There were two major stories in March:

1) The ASDF Mission in Iraq was extended for an additional two years as Japanese officials began speaking about a “strategic partnership” between Japan and Iraq.

2) Tokyo hosted four-party Arab-Israeli talks under the theme of the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity.”

The first story may have long-term implications that are not yet understood. Tokyo let pass another opportunity to step back from Iraq in order to please its US allies. At the same time, Japanese officials were showing evidence that they really do believe that things will turn out reasonably well in Iraq, and that the current government represents the political future of the country as well. Japanese policy seemed to be on an increasingly risky path.

Although Tokyo’s role in the Arab-Israeli peace talks may be more about hype than achievement at present, it is still significant that they turned out another initiative to hold talks. The focus on economic development plays to Japan’s strength. But the choice of the Israeli and Palestinian representatives could be regarded as disappointing and backward-looking.

Aside from the two major stories, there were the following smaller and more subtle events in March:

1) Various forms of humanitarian and food aid were donated to Palestinians.

2) Staff at the Japanese embassy in Kabul was slightly increased in line with US Vice-President Cheney’s call for more commitment.

3) Japan and the Philippines launched a two-year study on how to best facilitate peace in Mindanao.

4) Japan and Yemen signed an agricultural agreement.

5) Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Mr. Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak visited Japan and discussed Malacca Straits security.

6) Yorihiko Kojima, president of Mitsubishi Corporation, visited Brunei to further strengthen cooperation on LNG production.

7) Tokyo provided funds for election support in Sierra Leone.

8) JICA decided to construct a model disaster management school in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan.

9) Japanese and Indonesian held discussions about how they could increase bilateral cooperation.

10) JICA offered training courses for young Iraqi diplomats.

11) Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Mohammad Shariatmadari, a member of the Strategic Council for the Foreign Relations of Iran, held talks in Tokyo.

12) The “Beauty of Iranian Pottery” exhibition opened in Tokyo.

13) The Japanese government welcomed the formation of a joint PLO-Hamas administration in Palestine.

14) National Security Adviser Yuriko Koike made a quiet visit to several Persian Gulf countries.

15) Foreign Minister Taro Aso made a gaffe about Arabs and Israelis trusting Japanese because of their “yellow faces.”

16) A “Japan Festival” was held in Bangladesh to mark 35 years of relations.

17) Tokyo offered a strongly-worded statement in support of UNSC sanctions on Iran.

18) A “Central Quick Response Team” was established as a domestic elite antiterrorist unit.

19) Tokyo welcomed the peaceful and fair elections in Mauritania.

20) Tokyo called for a peaceful resolution of the short-lived Iran-Britain crisis over the capture of British sailors in the Persian Gulf.

21) A leader of Brunei’s oil industry visited Japan to discuss ties.

22) Two Japanese destroyers visited Brunei.

23) Tariq Al-Hashimi, Vice President of Iraq, visited Tokyo.

24) Japan co-sponsored talks on Malacca Straits security.

25) The Japan-Uzbek Power Forum 2007 was held.