Newsletter No. 339
News-Analysis
July 24, 2006

 

SUMMARY OF EVENTS IN JAPANESE-ISLAMIC RELATIONS FOR JUNE 2006

There were four major stories in June:

1) Prime Minister Koizumi announced the beginning of the pullout of the GSDF from Samawa.

2) The Second Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of Central Asia Plus Japan was held in Tokyo and seemed to be a success, except for the withdrawal of Turkmenistan.

3) Tokyo provided patrol boats for Indonesia, which indicated a relaxation of the former ban on military exports.

4) The Emperor and Empress visited Malaysia.

The first issue was a truly major event. Prime Minister Koizumi announced the immediate withdrawal of the GSDF from Samawa, thus bringing to an end this unexpectedly-long mission in Iraq. At the same time, however, the Prime Minister confirmed that the ASDF transport mission in Iraq would not only continue, but would be expanded. Koizumi gave no real indication as to why the GSDF mission was ended at this time.

The second event confirmed heightened Japanese interest in Central Asia. Foreign Minister Taro Aso began the month by giving a major policy speech on Central Asia, and the meeting itself seemed to proceed very well, with a substantial “action plan” issued at its conclusion. However, Turkmenistan was not represented at the meeting, and it later emerged that President Niyazov was unhappy with Japanese proposals about oil pipelines.

Tokyo has been concerned about piracy and other aspects of security in the Malacca Straits for some time, and this led to the provision of patrol boats to Indonesia that will be used for military purposes. In a piecemeal fashion, there are indications that Japan may soon become an exporter of military hardware, ending the decades-long ban on these practices.

Finally, the Emperor and Empress toured Malaysia. Although there were no major incidents during this tour, Emperor Akihito took the opportunity to express his regrets over the wartime occupation of the country, and hinted at his disapproval of some aspects of the new, conservative political mood in Japanese politics.

Aside from the four major stories, there were the following smaller and more subtle events in June 2006:

1) The Iran nuclear crisis and its effect on Azadegan continued, and various rumors about Tokyo’s policy were circulated and discussed.

2) There were some indications of a strengthening of Japan-Kuwait relations with VIP visits.

3) Prime Minister Koizumi announced his intention to visit Israel and Palestine in July.

4) The Foreign Minister of Djibouti visited Tokyo.

5) Kobe Steel received a large order from Oman.

6) Israeli prosecutors sought Japanese government approval to bring Japanese witnesses to Israel for the Zim Asia trial.

7) Reports emerged that some Japanese companies are seeking to enter the Islamic banking market.

8) An Omani government minister visited Nagasaki.

9) Tokyo announced new aid for Muslim areas of Mindanao.

10) The Moroccan Foreign Minister visited Tokyo on the 50th Anniversary of diplomatic ties.

11) Japan provided financial aid for voting in Mauritania.

12) Japan helped relief efforts for a major earthquake in Java.

---

We’re still running behind schedule, but will post the June article list this summer on the webpage.