Unryu Suganuma

The Post 2012 Congress Struggle

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:43:05 +0000

The current Chinese leaders will change when the 2012 Party Congress holds in Beijing. Two groups: Princeling and Chinese Youth League (CYL), have displayed their fights for the 5th generation leadership in China. The Chinese Communist Party Secretary Bo Xilai (son of Bo Yibo) in Chongqing has made the crackdown on gangs and corrupted police officers in Chongqing. Some officials who were arrested in Chongqing, are directly connected with Wang Yang, former head of Chongqing and former member of CYL where Hu Jintao came from (Nihon Keizai Shimbun). Besides Bo Xilai, Princeling group is contained Xi Jinping and Wang Qishan. CYL has Li Keqiang and Li Yuanchao. In addition, the 6th generation leadership will be emerged including Sun Zhengcai, Party Secretary in Jilin Province; Hu Chunhua, Party Secretary in Inner Mongolia; and Zhou Qiang, Governor of Hunan Province. It will be interesting to see who will get into the Party’s Politburo Standing Committee in 2012.

Killing Siberian Tigers

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:41:38 +0000

The Siberian tiger is one of the world’s rarest species; currently, there are only about 300 left in the wild and 50 of them in China. In March, 13 Siberaian tigers were starving to die in the Shenyang Forest Wildlife Zoo in Liaoning Province even though the zoo has made millions of dollars annually. While the owner has postponed the salary payments for her works for more than 13 months, she has repaid her debts for her golf club which she is running (Phoenix News). Authorities have discovered that many tiger’s parts, such as penises and bones, have been used to make a virility tonic, which traditionally the Chinese believe to increase sexual potency or treat certain illnesses. Obviously, these tiger’s virility tonic will provide for those higher officials, but not for normal citizens.

Secret Pact-II/Third-Class Politicians Only Provide the Third-Rate Policy-XII

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:40:27 +0000

On 9 March 2010, Foreign Minister Okada Katsuya disclosed that the Japanese government had allowed nuclear weapons to be brought onto Japanese soil under secret pacts (Japan Times). Since WWII, the LDP had ruled Japan and denied the fact that nuclear weapons were introduced into Japan, violating Japan’s three NOs nuclear policy. In 1967, Prime Minister Sato Eisaku declared Japan’s three-point non-nuclear principle of not “producing,” not possessing and not allowing the “bringing in” of nuclear weapons. For years since 1967, the Americans have demonstrated the nonsense of the three NOs nuclear policy. For instance, Ambassador Edwin O. Reischauer told Foreign minister Ohira Masayoshi that port calls or transit by U.S. ships carrying nuclear weapons did not constitute “introduction” of nuclear weapons in April 1963. Even today, many former prime ministers including Abe Shinzo and Aso Taro, are still denying the existence of the secret pact. However, on 30 March 2010, NHK interviewed former prime minister Nakasone Yasuhiro, who stated that he received the details from the bureaucrats on 14 January 1983.

The Chinese Core National Interests

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:04:32 +0000

After months of diplomatic problems (i.e., selling arms to Taiwan and Obama’s meeting with the Dalai Lama) between China and the US, the White House finally dispatched two senior officials: Deputy Secretary of State James B. Steinberg and Jeffrey A. Bader, National Security Council’s senior Director for Asia to Beijing in March 2010. The Chinese officials told two visiting American senior officials that China would not tolerate any interference in the South China Sea, part of Chinese “core interest” of sovereignty (New York Times23 April 2010). It was the first time that the Chinese insisted that the South China Sea was a core interest, on par with Taiwan, Tibet, and Xinjiang. Similarly, when Hillary Clinton led more than 200 people to talk the Chinese in Beijing in May, during the meting between Lieutenant general Ma Xiaotian, the deputy head of the PLA general staff, and Admiral Robert Willard, Chief of the US Pacific Command, and Wallace Gregson, a American Assistant Secretary of Defense, Ma stated, “Beijing always values mutual trust and co-operation with the US military… But the US arms sales to Taiwan, frequent reconnaissance by US naval ships and aircraft in the waters and airspace of China’s exclusive economic zones, and the US Defense Authorization Act have long remained the foremost obstacles of Sino-US military relations (South China Morning Post 26 May 2010).”

Internationalization of Renminbi-IX

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:44:21 +0000

After China’s annual National People’s Congress conference, the Chinese premier Wen Jiabao opened the press conference by criticizing the United States. Wen defended that China would not the appreciation of Renminbi. Soon after the Chinese leader dismissed the American complains, about 130 American congressman submitted the letter to the president by asking to add China as a currency “manipulator.” As Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman declares “trade war” even China dumps massive U.S. bonds in the market, the Capital Hill wants to target China as scapegoat. As Japan Times states, “the yuan is a job for China’s peer economies, not those that caused the turmoil.” Therefore, Wen Jiabao needs to reject Obama’s request. The fact of the matter is that today’s China is not stronger than Japan in the 1980s as the Japanese yen was appreciated. The Chinese leaders are learning lesson from Japan.

The End of the Reincarnation?/Dalai Lama-V

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 07:37:07 +0000

According to BBC News Chinese website the Dalai Lama provided an interview on February 22 in Los Angels. In his interview with BBC News he indicated that, “The reincarnation should stop if the people in Tibet agree with.” Well, by now Dalai Lama has probably figured out that he may die outside of Chinese soil, and that he might not be able to stop the central government from picking the 15th Dalai Lama. It is too bad that the Dalai Lama and the central government can not get along.

Resignation from CCTV

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 07:33:28 +0000

According to the Japanese media the head of the PR department in CCTV, Xia Guanghong, resigned from his director post. During the lunar years (February 14-15), CCTV had all night entertainment programs including singing and dancing. However, CCTV made about 6.5 millions yuan in profit from commercials. This outraged the Chinese audience who complained about the issue over the internet. Less than 10 days after the Chinese new year, the director resigned from his job. Who says that China does not have the public opinion?

Misinterpretation of Sino-Japanese Relations-II

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 07:32:50 +0000

In February, the Japanese government announced that its GDP grew at 1.1 percent during September and December (Daily Mainichi). This will place Japan as the second economy ($5.1 trillion GDP) in the world even though China had 8.7 percent economic growth in 2009 ($4.9 trillion GDP). Economic indications have limits. China is still a developing country. When one travels from Beijing to interior provinces, one can still eyewitness that a majority of the Chinese are still living in impoverished conditions. But one cannot see such poor economic conditions in local prefectures outside of Tokyo.

Cheonan Tragedy and Its Conspiracy/Test Obama-XIX

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:08:08 +0000

After nearly two months of investigation regarding the South Korean Navy patrol craft Cheonan tragedy where 46 crew members were killed, the South Korean investigation team sponsored with technical support from the UK, the US, Sweden, Canada, and Australia, concluded that the naval ship was sunk by a North Korea torpedo on 20 May 2010 (Japan Times). However, the Cheonan tragedy might be, according to Japanese independent journalist Tanaka Sakai, caused by friendly fire between the USA and South Korea (http://japanfocus.org/-Tanaka-Sakai/3361). Similarly, some scholars (e.g., Kim Myong Chol) questioned the Cheonan case, indicating the line of friendly fire. Both the South Korean right-wing regime headed by Lee Myung-bak and the American army in Korea covered up the fact. To blame North Korean regime is easy way to solve the Cheonan tragedy. But, it will be hard to convince citizens in South Korea to accept the friendly fire by the US. Ironically, the American intelligence claimed that Kim Jong Il gave the order to attack Cheonan (New York Times 22 May 2010). According to the Japanese media (Yomiuri Shimbun) Kim denied the involvement when he met with the Chinese President Hu Jintao during 3-7 May 2010 visit China. Yet, the Russian government expressed doubt about the result of the investigation team.

After the G-20 Summit in Toronto, President Obama asked the Chinese President Hu Jintao to look the evidence and accused the Chinese of “willful blindness” of North Korean behavior during the press conference on 27 June 2010. Yet, Qin Gang, the spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, dismissed Obama’s call by saying, “China is a neighbor of the Korean Peninsula, and on this issue four feelings differ from a country that lies 8,000 kilometers distant…. We feel even more direct and serous concerns (CCTV News and New York Times).”

The Chinese Nuclear Weapons by the Project 2049 Institute

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:42:51 +0000

The name of the Project 2049 Institute is not widely known in the Asian region. The institute was established in January 2008. According to its home page “the organization fills a gap in the public policy realm through forward-looking, region-specific research on alternative security and policy solutions (Webside of Project 2049 Institute)” in the Asian region including South Korea, Taiwan, China, and Japan. Some staff members are former Pentagon officials, such as Iran Brzezinski, former deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and Randall Schriver, former acting deputy Secretary of Defense. On 12 March 2010, Mark A. Stokes, who served 20 years in the Air Force and worked in the Defense Department, published the report titled China’s Nuclear Warhead Storage and Handling System. He disclosed the Chinese central storage complex in Baoji/Taibai Mountain, along with 6 other sites. China has totally 450 nuclear weapons in the central storage complex, and usually transports these nuclear weapons by using the highways and railways in the middle of the night.

Sino-U.S. Collision -II

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:29:26 +0000

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll indicates that the majority of Americans believe that China will be the leading superpower in 21st century. In terms of the economy, 41 percent of Americans believe that this century is the Chinese century, while 40 percent of Americans continue to believe that this is the American century. In terms of world affairs, 43 percent say that the Chinese lead, while 38 percent say America remains on top. (Washington Post, 25 February 2010). In the 1980s, when the Japanese bought Rockefeller Center and ABC NEWS Building, many Americans thought that Japan would lead the future. About 30 years later, where is Japan?

The Net Import of the Coal in China

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 23:02:56 +0000

Since 1993, China has been the net importer of oil; currently it reaches more than 50% of the dependency (about 237,900,000 ton) of foreign oil. According to the Japanese media, China will become the net import of coal in 2009. If China continues to grow annual more than 10 percent, will all natural resources on the earth be disappeared?

Which Country Will Be The First-VIII/Doing Businesses in the Chinese Way-III

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 13:44:28 +0000

According to China Daily (9 January 2010) Chinese exports jumped 17.7 percent year-on-year base in December 2009. At the same time, the imports jumped by an even more, 55.9 percent in December. Therefore, China’s trade surplus shrank by 34.2 percent in 2009 to $196 billion. In addition, on 21 January 2010, the Chinese government (CCTV) announced its 2009 GDP increased 8.7 percent, indicating the Chinese economy was emerging from the global financial tsunami.

Test Obama-XVIII

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:43:25 +0000

While the 44th President of the United States addresses his state of union to the American people by focusing on his “job initiative” on 27 January 2010, China’s State Council has decided to set up a National Energy Commission (NEC). Premier Wen Jiabao will be the head of the commission, and the NEC committee is composed of 21 members from various ministries and agencies including Vice Premier Li Keqiang and the Head of China’s Central Bank Zhou Xiaochuan. In addition, the military generals from the PLA (Zhang Xinsheng) were also included among the 21 members. Clearly, energy development has become China’s national security issue, a step of ahead of the US.

Sino-U.S. Collision-I

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 13:42:27 +0000

Since Obama finished his Asian trip in 2009, the Middle Kingdom seems to be on a collision course with the U.S. Most western media insisted on 3T (Trade, Tibet, and Taiwan) which are a major cause of conflict between China and the U.S. But Robert J. Samuelson of the Washington Post (15 February 2010) offers interesting insight. “China does not accept the legitimacy and desirability of the post-World War II global order, which involves collective responsibility among great powers (led by the United States) for world economic stability and peace.” Why should the Middle Kingdom listen to the U.S. which instigated the global financial tsunami for millions of people currently suffering? The American hypocrisy needs to stop.

The End of the Talk/Dalai Lama-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 13:41:31 +0000

According to CCTV the Chinese government (by Du Qinglin) finished talking with the Dalai Lama’s private representatives (by Ladi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen) without any meaningful result for both sides. They (Dalai Lama’s private representatives) “have no legal status to discuss with us the affairs about Tibet Autonomous Region … They are only the Dalai Lama’s private representatives, so they can only talk about the prospect of the Dalai Lama, at most, the prospects of a small party around him (Xinhua News 2 February 2010).” Until the last round talk with Dai Lama, Beijing has used a name of “the representatives of Dalai Lama group,” but the Chinese government changed the title in this round talk as “private representatives.” The Dalai Lama’s side can only talk about “personal issue of Dalai Lama” or “small group of Dalai Lama.” “We do hope that in the remainder of his life, he can think well about his own future. We don’t want him to end up in foreign soil (Japan Times 3 February 2010),” stated by Zhou Weiqun, executive deputy head of the CCP United Front Work Department. The tone from Beijing is clear – waiting for Dalai Lama’s death-bed. Dalai Lama is 75 years old; Beijing might allow him to die in Tibet. However, Dalai Lama has no chance to change Beijing’s mind to grant him a “greater autonomy and be governed as a single region” at all.

Western Media’s Bias

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:39:33 +0000

In a Swiss resort, the World Economic Forum opened its annual meeting at Davos. After the Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang addressed the forum, the western media made extremely unfair and uncomfortable headlines regarding the speech. For example, “Vice-premier defends Chinese policy (Financial Times 28 January),” and “Chinese Leader Offers a Glimpse of the Future (New York Times 29 January),” These reports are biased. The Chinese leader does not need to “defend” anything for anyone because the Chinese economy in 2009 reached 8.7 percent in GPD. Where is the economic growth in the UK? What has Obama done for the American people since he took his office? Did Obama provide more jobs for the American people? Politicians and media might be able to “talk”, but citizens need to see the “results.” Where is the UK or the USA? Isn’t it time for Western media to criticize their own governments who have not done much for their people rather than ridiculous the Chinese?

Test Obama-XVII

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:37:25 +0000

Spanish European Union President indicates that EU should left an arms embargo on China which crackdowns on 1989 Tiananmen Square protesters about 21 years ago. Among countries in EU France and the U.K. constantly agree to lift Chinese arms ban, but the U.S. has always interfered the lift arm ban since 1989. Will the White House stop to interfere the business in EU this time? The answer will be “probably not.”

The 50th Anniversary Japanese-U.S. Security Treaty/Cold War Mentality-II

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:36:33 +0000

On 19 January 2010, it is the 50th birthday of Japanese-U.S. Security Treaty. The Japanese-American security treaty was created during the cold war as a deterrent against the USSR, which no longer exists. Both Japan and the U.S. announced a joint statement signed by foreign ministers (Okada and Clinton) and secretary of defenses (Kitazawa and Gates) between the two countries. “The Ministers stress that the United States and Japan will work to advance cooperative relations with China, welcoming it to play a constructive and responsible role in the international arena (Joint Statement 19 January 2010).” Certainly, the meaning of the security treaty has changed over time; China has been increasingly a crucial player in the international stage. Therefore, the treaty is less meaningful than during the cold war and plays a limited role in today’s politics.

Who Will Save PIGS in EU

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:40:33 +0000

In Davos, some countries began to search for a new way to escape their financial crisis. Among EU members, Portugul, Italy, Greece, and Spain (PIGS) basically have financial tsunami in their own purses. All of these countries have very high deficits in GDP; therefore, PICS are looking for life-savor. According to Financial Times, the Greek government is asking the Chinese government to buy Greece 250-million-bonds. Why don’t any other countries in EU, such as Germany or France, offer any help to save Greece?

No Chance for China/The Chinese Way of Hegemony-VIII

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:32:41 +0000

Recently, Maureen Callahan published an article in New York Post (17 January 2010) titled “Don’t Panic: because China won’t overtake the US as the world’s superpower.” The Americans began to fear China would overtake the US, just as similar to fears Russian military during the cold war and Japanese economy in the 1980s. “China still lags far behind the US, both economically and militarily – the latter, too, an oft-overlooked point.” Certainly, China does not have 55%-28% of global output, and 11 aircraft carriers, as well as 7-8,000 nuclear warheads. It is also true that China might not seek the American “hegemony” which sticks its nose everywhere in global politics.

Obama’s State of the Union Address

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 13:38:39 +0000

“We need set a new goal: We will double our exports over the next five years, an increase that will support 2 million jobs in America. To help meet this goal, we’re launching a National Export Initiative that will help farmers and small businesses increase their exports, and reform export controls consistent with national security (Obama’s State of the Union Speech on January 27).” The sound is very nice. The question is how Obama will achieve the goal. On this earth, there is one large market which the US can sell to. That is the Middle Kingdom. By now, the Chinese do not need more rice, Boeing aircraft, PCs, or wheat. But there is one item that the Chinese might want badly. That is, for the United States to lift its arms ban which has been imposed it since 1989. Without the American help, the Chinese have developed their own arms which were demonstrated in the military parade on October 1, 2009. Will Obama allow the export of weapons to China?

Futenma Airbase/Laodicean Politics in Japan-VIII

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 13:29:25 +0000

Since Hatoyama took power in Japan, the deadlock over the transfer of a key American military airfield between Tokyo and Washington has put the 50th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. security treaty into danger. One of the current coalitions with the DPJ, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), opposes the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma within Okinawa. Some members of DPJ also agree with the position of SDP. For instance, Ozawa Ichiro, DPJ Secretary General, expressed the view that the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet, based on Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, would be enough for the American presence in the Far East in the role of the American military in Japan.

Small islets in Okinawa Prefecture have been considered as relocation sites for the American base. Shimoji islet, a small island about 289 km southwest of Naha, has a 3,000-meter runway which is used for the civilian pilot training. Alternatively, Ie islet is just off the west coast of the main island and has a marine airstrip used as a training facility. Both islets have been re-considered by the Hatoyama Administration.

Threaten Ozawa’s Life/The Radical Japanese Right-wings-II

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:27:05 +0000

Many people know Japan is democratic nation, but not so many people know that the right-wings is threatening fundamental democratic principles in Japan. On 25 December 2009, the office of Ozawa Ichiro, DPJ Secretary General, received a package which contains a 8cm-long-bullet. This type of occurrence is not unusual in Japan, when a politicians or person speaks against the right-wing’s views. In a similar occurrence on 19 January 2010, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) received mail containing a 9 mm diameter bullet and demanding the resignation of Ozawa Ichiro. On the same day, TV Asahi also received the envelope contains bullets. On 28 January 2010, DPJ and Ozawa’s office once again received the threaten mail that containing bullets. In the past, former prime minister Hosokawa was almost killed by the right-wing after he indicated that Japan was aggressive in WWII. When congressman Kato Koichi spoke out against Koizumi’s visiting Yasukuni Shrine, his 90s-year-old mother’s house was burned down by the right-wing in a few years ago.

Total Nuke Elimination

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:35:30 +0000

Since 1994, a U.N. General Assembly Committee adopted a resolution of the nuclear weapons elimination. On 29 October 2009, along with 87 counties, Japan submitted the resolution calling for the total elimination of nuclear weapons world-wide. Two countries: North Korea and India voted against the resolution, and 170 countries including, the USA supported the resolution. Eight countries: China, Cuba, France, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, Bhutan, and Israel, voted for abstention. It is for the first time in 9 years that the US voted in favor of resolution.

World Largest Exporter/Which Country Will Be The First-VI

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:23:47 +0000

According to the Global Trade Information Services Inc. (GTI), China overtook Germany as the world’s top exporter in 2009. In the first 10 months of 2009, China shipped products worth $958 billion while Germany sold goods worth $918 billion. This year, 2010, China might become the world’s second economy overtaking Japan, behind the United States.

End of the National Flag

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:34:48 +0000

After becoming 2 trillion Japanese yen in debt, Japan Airline Corporation (JAL) filed for bankruptcy on 19 January 2010. JAL is symbolized by the “rising sun” of Japanese national flag. Just as GM, JAL is going to be rehabilitated and hopefully recovered as a “healthy” company. For over a half century, the Japanese politics, in particular LDP, has been involved in JAL businesses. This eventually led to the bankruptcy of JAL. Sadly, no member of LDP expresses their sympathies to employees of JAL.

Laodicean Politics in Japan-VII

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:19:58 +0000

It is unusually for the Finance Minister to comment on the foreign exchange rate. When Kan Naoto, Finance Minister of Japan, took a new job on 7 January 2010, Kan stated, “Currently, the yen has been weakening since around the time of the Dubai shock, but I hope it will correct a bit more … I will make efforts, including working together with the Bank of Japan, to get the yen to appropriate levels while considering various effects on the economy that may be caused by currencies (Japan Times).” As soon as Kan’s statement went out, the rate of yen rose to $1= 93 yen from 90 yen.

Which Country Will Be The First-VI

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:25:35 +0000

According to China Daily the Chinese consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.6 percent in November, the first time since January. In China, almost every city has faced the problem of real estate, which has grown more than 20 percent. The normal citizens in China are not able to afford an apartment anymore. The housing bubble is like the 1980s real estate in Japan, and 2007 housing in the USA. Will the Chinese housing bubble destroy the Chinese economy as its “V” shape to recovery from the financial tsunami? Both Japan and US might face “W” shape to recovery.

Named Airport/Learning History-X

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:24:13 +0000

On 11 December 2009, the Germany government will name Berlin’s new airport after Willy Brandt, the former West German leader. The airport is expected to complete by 2011. The Nobel Laureate in Peace made his famous visit in Poland by bending his keens to apology to the Jews regarding the Holocaust during WWII. Should anything the Japanese government learn from this?

Google vs. the Chinese Government

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:33:49 +0000

Google threatened that it might shut down its China-based Google.cn site based upon concerns about censorship and hacking its mail service within China. As Siva Yam, President of United States of America-China Chamber of Commerce states, “As long as you aren’t involved in politics, the media or pornography, the government will leave you alone (Japan Times).” It is certainly the case in China.

Ozawa’s Proposal/Learning History-IX

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:21:48 +0000

“There was an unfortunate period in modern history and it is a historical fact that Japan and the Japanese people must apologize for,” Ozawa Ichiro, secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan on 12 December 2009. The statement came out when Ozawa made a speech at Kookmin University in Seoul as his two days trips after he visited Beijing. During 1910 to 1945, Japan colonized the Korean peninsula in what is often referred to as the “unfortunate period.” “We need to make efforts to (build) goodwill and a friendly relationship, as well as solidarity by overcoming past issues … We still have to settle some issues that remain unresolved in Japan and South Korea … Japan is in a position to make proposals in a positive manner on the matter (Japan Times).”

Anti-Corruption School and Its Economy Cost

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:31:39 +0000

According to the Chinese media in Hong Kong, the Chinese government established a school for anti-corruption northwest of Beijing training 15,000 officials. These officials are going to learn psychology and foreign methods of the anti-corruption. In past 30-years of economic reform, according to the Japanese media, about 4,000 corrupted officials with more than $50,000,000,000 escaped to foreign lands. This amounts to 1,300,000,000 Japanese yen per official. According to Chinese government data, the corruption in China has cost 13% of the Chinese GDP.

Third-Class Politicians Only Provide the Third-Rate Policy-XI

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:20:47 +0000

The Japanese envoy to Taiwan, Saito Masaki, made the claim that the island’s status remains “unresolved” when he gave the lecture in the college in Taiwan (see the blog on 14 August 2009). For months, Ma Ying-jeou refused to see Saito; as a result, Saito decided to quit and return to Japan. Imai Tadashi, Japan’s former ambassador to Israel and Malaysia, will be the head of the Interchange Association in Taipei. Will the Japanese right-wing learn some lesson from this?

The Chinese Missile Interceptor

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:30:45 +0000

Currently, only three nations: U.S., Russia, and Israel, have the technology to shoot down a missile. On 18 January 2010, China joined the interceptor club because the Chinese military intercepted a missile in mid-flight during a test-fire. It is unusual that the ministry of foreign affairs announced the test. “The test has achieved the expected objective…. The test is defensive in nature and is not targeted at any country (CCTV).” Foreign media has reports in 2006 that Beijing tested a surface-to-air missile in the northwest of China, the capabilities similar to the American patriot interceptor system. According to the 2009 Pentagon Report on China’s Military, China has limited ballistic and cruise missile defense capabilities. Some media reports that the interceptor missiles are believed to be deployed near major cities and strategic sites including Three Gorges Dam. This timing of the Chinese test-fires missile interceptor followed the White House decided to sell PAC-3 air defense missiles.

Iran Nuclear Case/Test Obama-XVI

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:19:55 +0000

Two weeks before the 44th President visited the Middle Kingdom, two US government officials made their trip to Beijing on a “special mission,” according to the Japan Times (27 November 2009). Two officials: Dennis Ross and Jeffrey Bader, both senior officials in the National Security Council, informed the Chinese leaders that Israel could bomb Iran, which is going to have the nuclear bombs, and the US government cannot stop the reaction of Israel. If Iran had the nuclear bombs, other states, such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, could start their own nuclear programs. Then, eventually, Japan might be able to have the nuclear bombs. The US government asked Beijing to back up the resolution by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Interestingly, by the end of November, IAEA passed the resolution against Iran’s nuclear program backed by both China and Russia.

China’s Lobbies in the US Congress

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:28:05 +0000

When the democrat controls in the White House last time during Clinton Administration, the anti-China rhetoric was out control in the end. Even the congress published COX REPORT against China on Capital Hill by accusing to spy American nuclear secrets. China-bashing was costless. When the 44th president took the power in the White House this time, the tone from the Capital Hill changed. For example, the House overwhelmingly approved 2,560th birthday of Confucius in last October. According to Washington Post (9 January 2010) the US Congress is getting friend with the Chinese government despite there are many disagreements including human rights and nuclear proliferation.

“Dubai Shock”/Internationalization of Renminbi-VIII

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:18:58 +0000

When the “Dubai Shock” attacked the financial market globally, the Chinese Finance Minister announced that it will issue 50-year Renminbi bond. China will be the third nation after the UK and France to sell the 50-year bonds. The total Renminbi bonds will be 20,000,000,000 yuan, and its interest rate will be approximately 4.4 percent. Will this be another step to internationalize Renminbi?

The Promotion of the Development and Protection of Nation’s Sea Islets

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:25:49 +0000

China has more than 6,900 islands and more than 10,000 small isles, according to the Chinese governmental media On 26 December 2009, China’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress (NPC) standing committee, passed a law protecting the islets. According to the Xinhua News, China will strengthen the protection of its eco-system, the utilization of natural resources, and the development on Chinese sea islands. The law prohibits coastal reclamation of quarry stone or sand in both inhabited and uninhabited sea islands, bans all construction projects, the cutting of trees and tourist activities on uninhabited sea islands. All development projects on inhabited islands will be subject to strict environmental impact assessment. Both Japan and some countries from ASEAN are getting extremely nervous because this law might apply all disputed islets with China including the Diaoyu Islands, Paracels Archipelagos, and Spratlys Archipelagos.

Americans Back to Asia-II

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:16:58 +0000

Interestingly, Time (November 23, 2009) magazine published Bill Powell’s article, titled “5 Things the U.S. Can Learn from China” before Obama landed in the Middle Kingdom. The five things are: be ambitious, education matters, look after the elderly, save more, and look over the horizon. All five items are fundamental bases of the Chinese society and Confucian culture. Will Obama learn these five items before returning to the Asian region?

To Bust “The China Inc.”?

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:24:33 +0000

In 2001, Gordon G. Chang predicts the collapse of China (The Coming Collapse of China by Random House). Nearly ten years has past, where is the collapse of China? Recently, most economists, governments, and experts expect the Chinese economy to continue to grow in 2010. But, James S. Chanos, a wealthy hedge fund investor of Kynikos Associates, predicts the end of China Inc. According to the New York Times (8 January 2010) China looks like Dubai times 1,000 or worse, and Beijing is cooking its books. Chanos has earned his reputation by foreseeing the collapse of Enron, problems of Tyco International, the Boston Market restaurant chain, and home builders as well as some world’s biggest banks. However, the Chinese society is more sophisticated than any Western societies. In term of the population, economic structure, and governmental transparency, China is relatively more complicated than any Western countries including Japan. China does not look like any western nation at all. The bubble of the real estate in China is real, but the collapse of the China Inc., might not be true. To be a true Chinese experts requires an understanding of the history, culture, society, and politics etc., of the Middle Kingdom.

Secret Pact-I/Third-Class Politicians Only Provide the Third-Rate Policy-X

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:30:42 +0000

For years, the LDP repeatedly denied the existence of the Secret Pact between the U.S. and Japan. On 1 December 2009, a former senior diplomat, Yoshino Bunroku, admitted for the first time in court that Tokyo and Washington had a secret accord on the cost burden relating to the 1972 reversion of Okinawa (former Liuqiu Kingdom) to Japanese control (Japan Times). In the 1970s, when the American government decided to return sovereignty of Okinawa to Japan, them Prime Minister Eisaku Sato, the great-uncle of Abe Shinzo, told the Japanese taxpayers that the returning Okinawa without compensation. The fact of the matter is that Japan secretly shouldered $4 million in costs that the American government was supposed to pay to restore Okinawan farmland which had been used by the American forces. How can the Japanese taxpayers be so stupid, having been fooled since the 1970s? Will LDP take any responsibility?

The Chinese Donation to Yale University

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:22:34 +0000

If an alumni makes a donation to a university in the West, it would rarely make the international news unless it was an exceptionally large donation. When Zhang Lei, the founder and managing partner of Hillhouse Capital Management in Beijing gave $8,888,888 to the management school of Yale University (where he finished a master degree in business administration and a master degree in international relations) on 8 January 2010, he was criticized over the internet. A majority of posts condemned his action for giving his money to a U.S. university rather than keeping it in China. However, a minority spoke out in support of Zhang’s donation writing, “Well donated!! If you donated that money [in China], then more than half would fall into the wallets of corrupt officials (South China Morning Post).” Probably Zhang Lei felt that he had learned more knowledge from Yale University than Renmin University in China where he finished undergraduate studies. This is natural when one is evaluating or reviewing his/her lifetime education after a successful career. No one was surprised that the Chinese education system was worst than education system in the USA.

Japanese Chemical Weapons in China

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:28:04 +0000

On 30 November 2009, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapon (OPCW) opened its 14th conference in the Hague of Holland (till December 4th). The head of the Chinese delegation, Zhang Jun, insisted that “I hope that Japan will remove its chemical weapons in China, abandoned by the Japanese imperial army, as soon as possible (Xinhua News).” Both Japan and China agreed that Japan would remove its chemical weapons in China by April 2012. Since China has modernized its nation, construction has blossomed. As a result, some construction sites break these chemical weapons which result in death, injury, and pollution that the people and environment suffer for years. The Japanese government has not made any compensation for these victims. In addition, no victim has won any verdicts in the Japanese court since WWII by suing the Japanese government. Will Hatoyama Administration makes any compensation for the Chinese victims?

Arms Sales to Taiwan in 2010

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:21:22 +0000

On 7 January 2010, the Chinese government denounced the U.S. decision to clear the sale of Patriot missiles by Lockheed Martine to Taiwan, the deal entered into by George W. Bush. Three days later, the Chinese Foreign Ministry again denounced U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, a $1.1 billion order received by Raytheon Con for ground-system hardware to support Taiwan’s Patriot air defense capability. By the end of January, the White House is going to sell Black Hawk helicopters to Taiwan. As George Gilder states in the Wall Street Journal (4 February 2010), “The Chinese are needlessly aggressive in missile deployments against Taiwan, but there is absolutely no prospect of a successful U.S. defense of that country. Sending them $6 billion of new weapons is a needless provocation against China that does nothing valuable for the defense of the U.S. or Taiwan.”

Which Country Will Be The First-V

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:27:02 +0000

Beijing Capital Airport reached 60 million flights on 30 November 2009 when a Air China (flight CA 912) from Stockholm to Beijing took a number of passengers to China. All passengers received a USB memory drive with the design “60 million” on it. This is a milestone for the Beijing Capital Airport, which became number one position in the Asian region passing Haneda Airport and number 4th place in the world. In 2005, The Beijing Capital Airport reached 40 million passengers and 50 million in 2007. By end of 2009, if the Beijing Capital Airport got more than 65 million passengers, the airport will be number position surpassing Chicago O’Hare Airport. Currently, Atlanta International Airport and Long Heathrow International Airport are in the number one and number two positions respectively in the world.

The Rich Grand-mom in China

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:18:21 +0000

On 14 February 2010, it is the Chinese (lunar) New Year. Many countries in the Asian region including South Korea celebrated the lunar new year. In Nanjing, according to the Japanese media, Jiangsu Province, a 70-year-old grand-mom walked into the store to purchase one kilo-gram of the pure gold (24K) coin for her grand-son as a new year gift (Yayaoqian), which is commonly given away during the new year. One kilo-gram is worth more than $40,000. Even in Japan, there is no so many grand-moms can buy one kilo-gram coin for their grand-sons. The Chinese are really getting rich!

Okinotori Island/The Chinese Way of Hegemony-VII

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:25:58 +0000

On 1 December 2009, the Japanese government decided to develop Okinotori Island, which is located in 1,740 km south of Tokyo, building a port and other facilities and finishing within 5 years. However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated its opposition to the Japanese government’s decision. In September, the Chinese government repeatedly expressed its opposition against Japan’s bid to extend Okinotori Island’s continental shelf in the southern Pacific to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf because Okinotori Island is a rock which can not sustain human habitation or economic life of their own, according to Article 12 of the UNCLOS, having no exclusive economic zone or continental shelf. This has primarily been the Chinese objection against the development of the Okinotori Island. The real reason is once Japan begins to station its navy in the Okinotori Island, the Chinese submarines will face to difficulty in passing through the Okinotori Island into the Pacific Ocean.

The Chinese Military Cooperation with EU

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:24:56 +0000

China is considering becoming co-chair of a group with European Union to fight Somalia pirates. Recently, some Chinese vessels have kidnapped by Somalia pirates. However, so far the Chinese navy has operated independently in the Gulf of Aden. If the Chinese navy jointly operates with naval forces of EU, this will be co-lead the international task force fighting piracy off the horn of Africa, according to the Japanese media.

Laodicean Politics in Japan-VI

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:22:42 +0000

Hatoyama Yukio repeatedly tied to balance his campaign financial books. It has been revealed that more than 100 million Japanese yen was falsely declared out of revenues from selling tickets for fundraising parties between 2004 and 2008. At least 300 million yen was falsely declared in Hatoyama’s financial statements. Finally, 29 November 2009, the Japanese newspapers reported, according to Hatoyama’s former secretary who is under investigation by the Tokyo Public Prosecutors Office, that his mother donated 900 million Japanese yen to Hatoyama’s account (Daily Yomiuri). Many people wish to have Hatoyama’s mother who can provide 900 million Japanese yen for his/her elections.

The Third United Front CCP-KMT-XII

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:23:20 +0000

When Vice President Xi Jinping visited Japan, the head of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), an opposition in Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, was in Tokyo on 15 December 2009. Regarding the unification, she stated that the whole Taiwanese people (23 million people) must decide their future of the unification. At the same time, Ma Ying-jeou, was interviewed by Winston L. Y. Yang from Seton Hall University in Taipei (Wall Street Journal). Ma stated that it would take decades before Taiwan can be unified with the mainland. Interestingly, two different party leaders in the different places made the similar statement regarding the unification of Taiwan. Basically, the Taiwan people will make their future if they decided to unify with China. What do the Chinese leaders in the mainland think about these statements by two different leaders?

Sino-Japanese Joint Navel Drill

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:21:45 +0000

On 27 November 2009, the Chinese Defense Liang Guanglie and the Japanese Defense Minister Kitazawa Toshimi held a joint press briefing in Tokyo to announce a joint naval drill agreement in next year after the Chinese delegation arrived Japan for visiting. This military exchange will be the first joint naval exercise for search and rescue operations. The Maritime Self-Defense Force has conducted a similar naval drill with South Korea and Russia. This operation between China and Japan will certainly improve Sino-Japanese military relations. On 30 November 2009, the Chinese defense chief visited a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Chokai equipped with the Aegis combat system at the U.S. naval base. But, his visit was limited because much information about the ship is secret, including the air defense system developed by the US. The White House is not certainly very happy about this visit.

Next Generation Fighter Jet-2

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:19:37 +0000

For years, the United States government asks its allies — Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark, and Norway – to support the development of new radar-evading F-35 fighter jet. By now, Japan has also expressed interest in buying the F-35 fighter jet. The single-engine F-35, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, is at the early stages of production in Lockheed Martin Corporation. According to the Japanese media, however, the US government is going to withhold F-35 fighter software code, which will not give any nations of American allies. The reason Japan wishes to purchase F-35 fighter jet is that F-35, which is 20-30 years advanced than the Chinese fighter jet, can compete with the Chinese J-10, the 3rd generation fighter jet.

Internationalization of Renminbi-VII

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:18:45 +0000

“Can the renminbi become a major international currency in as little as a decade? Only time will tell. But U.S. history suggests that this schedule, while ambitious, is not impossible,” wrote by Barry Eichengreen, a professor of economics and political science at the University of California, Berkeley, publishing an interesting article in Japan Times (26 November 2009). By using historical evidence, Eichengreen compares with the dollars and sterling in 1914. It only took more than a decade that the American currency overtook the British sterling. Currently, the Chinese government has signed a renminbi swap agreement with Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, and Malaysia. This will allow the use of two countries’ currencies in bilateral trade transactions. Will renminbi be internationalized in a decade?

The Breaking Japanese Imperial Protocol

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:29:48 +0000

When the Vice President of China, Xi Jinping, visited Japan on 14 December 2009, his visit created one of hottest debates in Japan. Since the Japanese emperor has prostate cancer in 1995, the Imperial Household Agency has asked any leaders from any countries must arrange the meeting with the emperor a month in advance as Japanese protocol requires (NHK News). However, Xi broke this protocol with less than a month request. Some right-wing LDP leaders including former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo criticized Hatoyama’s decision by accusing “using political gain.” Some observers claim that Secretary General of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, Ozawa Ichiro, visited Beijing on 10 December with the unheard-of more than 600-strong delegation; he might influence the decision to push the 25-minutes meeting between Xi-emperor. On 15 December, when the Japanese emperor met with the Chinese Vice President, the radical right-wings protested in Tokyo by fighting with police. Is this arrangement between Xi-emperor “to use political gain” by Hatoyama?

“Chimerica” Save North Korea-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:17:29 +0000

During the Korean War (1950-1953), Beijing and Pyongyang joined forces to fight against with the UN forces, led by the USA. On 22 November 2009, the Chinese Defense Liang Guanglie arrived in North Korea. Both Korean and Chinese media pledged to strengthen their military alliance, “sealing it in blood.” Kim Jong Il also met the Chinese defense minister. The last meeting between the leader of North Korea and the Chinese defense minister was more than 9 years ago. “No force on Earth can break the unity of the armies and peoples of the two countries and it will last forever (Japan Times),” Liang stated. What kinds of “games” are the Chinese playing right now?

Open Sky in Japan

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:28:57 +0000

The United States, European countries, and South Korea have already reached open skies agreements, promoting liberalization of their respective civil aviation markets for a while. In the middle of December, Japan finally agreed to liberalize air traffic with the US under open skies accord (Nippon News Network). Japan has one of the worst airports in the world, with only one 4,000-meter runway in Narita Airport which can not accommodate air traffic after 15 o’clock. On the other hand, the Japanese politicians have not allowed Tokyo’s Haneda Airport which will have a fourth runway in next October, to have international flights. Finally, the Hatoyama Administration is trying to make Haneda airport into an international hub airport. Will this open sky make Japan a more internalized nation?

American-Indian Relations/Test Obama-XV

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:16:11 +0000

When President Obama’s Asian trip finished in the last country – South another Asian nation was nervous. That is no other – than India. When the 44th President visited both Japan and China, he did not mention the name of Indiain his speech at all. However, after Obama returned to the White House, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was invited Washington D.C. Singh as the first full-fledged state visit, which would culminate in a black-tie dinner on November 24. According to the White House press secretary Robert Gibbs that Obama considered the India relationship “very important.” Well, when Obama was in Japan, he stated Japanese-American relations are “very important.” Then, while he was in China, Obama repeatedly mention that China is a “very important” nation for the USA. It sounds like every country is “very important” to the U.S. in Obama’s view. Does this mean the beginning of the declining the superpower of the Pax Americana because every country is “very important.”

Kidnapped Children in China-II

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:23:41 +0000

According to Xinhua News Agency two men: Hu Minghua and Su Binde, were executed in the morning of 26 November 2009. Based on the statement from the Supreme People’s Court, Hu Minghua had kidnapped and sold nine children from April 1999 to October 2005, while Su Binde was convicted of abducting six children between September 2005 to July 2006. Well, in the countryside, many babies have been kidnapped and sold for decades; many Chinese have been waiting for resolution for years from their government. In all of China, are there only two baby-kidnapping criminals who deserved to be executed?

Lee Kuwan Yew’s Speech

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:14:50 +0000

On 27 October 2009, former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, received the lifetime achievement award from the US-ASEAN Business Council in Washington D.C., the first award of its kind awarded to a former prime minister. Lee Kuan Yew made his speech at the 25th anniversary gala dinner in the council. However, Lee’s speech was surprising news for Chinese leaders because ethnic-Chinese began to ask about USA involvement in the Asian region. “It would be a serious mistake for the region to define East Asia in closed or, worse, in racial terms. In building any new East Asian architecture, the US must be an important part of it (Lee Kuan Yew from US-ASEAN Business Council).” Some Chinese TV commentators argue that the US government pressured Lee Kuan Yew to give the speech in the US-ASEAN Business Council. Before the APEAC meeting in Singapore, the Chinese president, Hu Jintao, made his official visit to both Malaysia and Singapore. Are these activities coincidental?

Americans Back to Asia-I

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:10:41 +0000

After the US lost the Vietnam War, Americans have been extremely careful in the acting in the Asian region. The 44th President of the United States broke this hesitance. During the Obama’s Asian trip in 2009, he made the first meeting with ASEAN + 1 since the Vietnam War by calling the US “back to Asia.” Why did Obama want to re-enter ASEAN? Will the US balance the power in the Asian region against China?

COP 15 Copenhagen/Chinese Green-II

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:00:59 +0000

The Chinese government pledged that, according to CCTV, China would voluntarily cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 40 percent to 45 percent by 2020, compared with levels in 2005. Before Copenhagen climate summit, President Obama committed to reduce 17 percent below 2005 level.

Major Carbon Emitters’ Positions

Country	Reductions by 2020 (base year)	Conditions (as of 26 November 2009)	Domestic Support for Reduction Targets/Opposition
Japan	25 percent from 1990	“meaningful” commitment from other major economies	Support: Ruling (DPJ and others) parties, NGOS, some public opinion polls Opposed: Business world including Keidanren, and Federation of Electric Power Companies
EU	20 percent from 1990	Possibly pursue 30 percent if “others” join in	Support: All EU member nations Opposed: Some Eastern European nations
USA	17 percent from 2005	Executive position firm; Still being discussed in Congress	Support: President Barack Obama, majority of ruling Democratic Party Opposed: oil, coal, and gas lobbies, agriculture lobby, Senators from farm and oil states
China	40%-45% cut per unit of GDP 2005	Developed counties must take lead	Support: Chinese government; environmentalists seeking targets Opposed: So far no reaction to proposal
India	20 percent to 25 percent cut from 2005	Developed nations must take lead	Support: Indian government and NGO Opposed: Some businesses

Sources: “COP15 Hinges on Congress, China,” Japan Times, 28 November 2009, p. 1. Also “U.N. Conference Recognizes Climate Deal,” Japan Times, 20 December 2009, p. 1.

As Japan Times states, the result of COP 15 in Copenhagen depends on how “G2” (e.g., China and US) talked to each other. “The leaders of Europe, Japan and other countries at the summit were largely left to rubber-stamp the deal (Japan Times).”

Chinese Proliferation To Pakistan?/Test Obama-XIV/G2-X

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:42:06 +0000

When the 44th president took air force one heading on his first trip to Asia on November 12, 2009, American journalists dropped a bombshell into the global news media. When Obama landed in Japan on the following day, the Washington Post (by R. Jeffrey Smith and Joby Warrick) published an article titled “A nuclear Power’s Act of Proliferation.” After confirming the authenticity of the material by the Post independently, China did provide the crucial help for Pakistan to develop the nuclear weapon. The materials were provided by Simon Henderson who maintained correspondence with Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan. These materials indicated that there was a secret nuclear deal approved by Mao Zedong and Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in the middle of 1976. In 1982, Deng Xiaoping approved the case by allowing Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan and the others to fly aboard a Pakistani C-130 to Urumqi with highly unusual cargo: enough weapons-grade uranium for two atomic bombs. Interestingly, on 17 November 2009 when both the Chinese and American Presidents held their press conference in Beijing after nearly two hours of talks, no single question was allowed to be asked by journalists. Why?

The End of Alliance/Test Obama-XIII/ Japan Passing-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:40:47 +0000

It is unusual for the Prime Minister of Japan to leave a guest of state during their visit. However, when the US President Barack Obama delayed his visit Japan for 24 hours due to domestic affairs, this is exactly what happened. The Japanese prime minister left for the APEC meeting in Singapore. Since WWII, it is unthinkable that a Japanese Prime Minister would leave the US President alone in Tokyo. The delay of Obama’s trip to Asia resulted in reducing his visit to Japan to one day. His trip to China, however, was not reduced reflecting a move in US foreign policy away from Japan and towards China. Does this indicate the beginning of the end of Japanese-U.S Alliance??

India vs. China/The Chinese Way of Hegemony-VI

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:39:33 +0000

In 1959, the Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet, entering the Buddhist monastery town of Tawang located in India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. This region, which lays on the Indo-Tibetan border, has long been the issue of territorial disputes between India and China as the result of the border artificially drawn by the British. On 7 November 2009, Dalai Lama made his sixth visit to the Arunachal Pradesh region, which India had not let the Dalai Lama visit for many years. The Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited the Arunachal region during the parliamentary election; New Delhi, according to Indian Journalist Gautaman Bhaskaran, announced the stationing of a squadron of nuclear-capable Sukhoi 30 MKI fighters within striking distance of Arunachal (Japan Times 17 November 2009). The tension between India and China is getting worse. In China, newspapers, TV commentators, individual bloggers, and scholars began to address the “India Threat” over the internet and evening news. In October, Renmin Ribao [People’s Daily] openly criticized India for seeking “hegemony.” There is also another territorial dispute between China and India involving the Kashmir region (the northwestern region of South Asia), which India, Pakistan, China, and the people of Kashmir continue to dispute. In 1962, the Chinese army defeated the Indian army in the Kashimir region. Will China and India fight another war in Arunachal region?

Test Obama-XII

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:29:37 +0000

The US. President, Barack Obama, made his first trip to Asia to attend the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit meeting in Singapore on 10 November 2009. The 44th president decided to make a 10-day visit to Japan, Singapore, China, and South Korea. Interestingly, three days before Obama arrived in Singapore, the Chinese President, Hu Jintao, visited Malaysia and Singapore, major countries in ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) on 10 November 2009. Once again, the Chinese took one step to visit ASEAN before Obama did.

“Forgotten Australians”/Learning History-VIII

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:27:03 +0000

When the British colonized most world affairs during Pax Britanica, hundreds of thousands of disadvantage children were sent from around the world including from the U.K. to Australia. These abused orphans faced sexual abuse, violence, and forced labor over a period of decades. On 16 November 2009, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made an emotional apology to more than 500,000 “forgotten Australians.” This is following (in February 2008) an apology made by Kevin Rudd to Australian’s Aboriginal population for their mistreatment since the White settlement in 1788. Can the Japanese politicians learn the lesson from history too?

Japanese Studies in the Chinese Universities

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:26:44 +0000

Recently, Beijing University held a Japanese Studies Contest hosted by the center of Japanese studies. This contest is the only one in China offered at the master degree level. Currently, about 70 universities offer Japanese Studies at the graduate level (including Japanese language and Japanese literature), and students continue to increase dramatically. This year, according to the Chinese media, the Japanese Studies Contest had 41 papers from 33 universities and colleges, and nine people received awards: 3 people in the first place, 6 people in the second place, and 9 people in the third place.

Test Obama-XI

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:44:54 +0000

Before the 60th anniversary of the PRC military parade on 1 October 2009, General Liang Guanglie, Chinese Defense Minister, was interviewed by the Chinese media regarding the Chinese military might. “Today, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has almost all types of weaponry in the arsenal of Western countries (China Daily).” After Liang made the statement, media in the world including from Japan, India, U.K., and USA, reiterated the statement by the Chinese defense minister. What is Beijing’s purpose? Will China and the U.S. have military conflict in the future?

Laodicean Politics in Japan-V

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:49:19 +0000

In 1886, when the Meiji government took back the power from Tokugawa Shogun, the Japanese bureaucrats began to control Japanese politics. On 14 September 2009, the administrative vice minister regular conference hold the last meeting. This symbolized to end the 123-year-old practice by the Japanese bureaucrats. This regular meeting by top bureaucrats at each ministry and agency usually makes decisions about government policy issues before the LDP cabinet meeting. Therefore, the LDP simply passed these political decisions as Japan’s national policy. Interestingly, National Personnel Authority President Tani Masahito, who opposites to reform national public service system, resigned on 11 September 2009. Since the Democratic Party won the election in August, the nightmare of bureaucrats is just started. Will Japan be changed?

Learning History-VII

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 08:38:35 +0000

In 1942, the decision by the Tojo Hideki Administration forced about 40,000 Chinese brought to Japan into slavery, working in 135 factories (Asahi Shimbun). For the past 64 years, LDP refused to acknowledge the Japanese government’s mistakes by ignoring the slavery issue. On 23 October 2009, Nishimatsu Construction Corporation agreed with five Chinese to set up a 250 million (Japanese yen) trust fund to compensate the victims. The agreement will reimburse 360 others who had been forced to perform hard labor during WWII, build memories for those who passed away already, and make an apology by Nishimatsu. Resolving the dispute is following the 2007 decision of the Supreme Court in Hiroshima which dismissed the Chinese claims, but called for an effort to compensate the victims (Japan Times). For the first time, the Supreme Court in Japan determined that the right of individual Chinese to seek war reparations from Japan (which was abandoned under the article five of the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communiqué). Since the 1990s, after a flood of lawsuits filed by Japan’s war victims, Kajima Corporation (500 million yen) set up a fund to compensate forced laborers near the site of the Hanaoka copper mine in Akita Prefecture. By now, the Hatoyama administration needs to acknowledge the Japanese government’s mistakes 64 years ago, and begins to compensate those victims. If both the government in Germany and German companies such as BMW and Bents can make an apology and compensate the Holocaust victims, why cannot the Japanese government and the Japanese firms do the same?

BRIC-V vs. VISTA?

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:34:49 +0000

Recently, the Japanese media begin to use the word, VISTA, which is taking capital letters from five nations: Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey, and Argentina, to describe the economic growth expansion in 2010 as the Japanese corporations are ready to extend their muscles. BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) has been the famous word since the global financial tsunami hit the world economy. Will VISTA take over BRIC in near future?

Comments from Paul Krugman/Internationalization of Renminbi-VI

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:32:02 +0000

Paul Krugman, the Laurent of the 2008 Nobel Prize in economics, published his article in the New York Times, titled “The Chinese Disconnect.” Basically, Krugman claims that China’s bad currency policy is threatening the growth of the rest of world economy. It is understandable that Krugman wants the Chinese government to get rid of yuan/dollar rate fixed. Just as the Plaza Accord in 1984, the US destroyed the Japanese economy (near 20-years stagnation) by appreciating the Japanese yen, but the Chinese learned from the Japanese. From the American national interest, Krugman’s perspective might be right. However, it is not right to destroy another country’s economy by satisfying its own national greedy. Remember, the current global financial tsunami was not created from Shanghai, China, but on Wall Street in New York.

Which Country Will Be The First-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:28:17 +0000

In the third quarter, the Chinese economy (GDP) expanded 8.9 percent while the economic growth in the U.K. shrunk to -0.4 percent, the longest recession since the government took economy statistics in 1955. Thanks to Cash and Kruncker, the American economy (GDP) in the third quarter managed to rise about 3.5 percent, but still continued to flounder.

East Asian Community-II

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 08:23:20 +0000

In 1990, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mahamad, proposed an East Asian Economic Caucus, but the idea was dismissed by the United States. In 1997 when the Asian financial crisis hit, Japanese Finance Minister, Miyazawa Kiichi, pushed to create an Asian Monetary Fund, which was quashed by the United States again. In October 2009, when the global financial tsunami instigated by the Wall Street is still bring down the global economy, the Obama Administration has little credibility to persuade anyone not join the East Asian Community when the Japanese Prime Minister, Hatoyama Yukio, made a proposal during the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) meeting in Thailand. The only problem is that Hatoyama’s proposal of the East Asian Community covers Japan, China, South Korea, ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand, and India. But, the traditional geographical knowledge of the “East Asian” Community does not cover Australia, New Zealand, and India.

Test Obama-X

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:20:14 +0000

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited China during October 12-14, 2009. Both China and Russia singed 12 agreements. According to the Chinese media, one of these agreements was that two countries would notify the other of ballistic missiles and the launch of carrier rockets. Usually, no country wants to sign a mutual notification of ballistic missiles agreement because it will disclose its national security. When the US and Russian signed the mutual notification of ballistic missiles in 2000 (when Madeleine Albright and Igor Ivanov signed the agreement), the Russians have difficulty detecting the location of American ballistic missiles since the US has more advanced technology than Russians. In fact, the United States has asked Beijing to sign the mutual notification of ballistic missiles agreements for years; however, the Chinese leaders have not said “yes.” By now Sino-Russian mutual notification of ballistic missiles agreement was signed; what will Obama do?

Gifs from the Taxpayers

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:17:27 +0000

“Those earnings are not the achievement of risk takers,” said George Soros. “These are gifts, hidden gifts, from the government, so I don’t think that those monies should be used to pay bonuses (Financial Time 24 October 2009).” He is right. The “fat cats” on the Wall Street basically took advantage of the little people whose taxes support their bonuses. The way doing business on the Wall Street in the capitalist system is the worst than the communist system in China.

Third-Class Politicians Only Provide the Third-Rate Policy-IX

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:13:58 +0000

Jack Gallagher wrote an article in the Japan Times(Ishihara’s Bid for Legacy Was Olympian Waste of Taxpayer Money) on 11 October 2009. His analysis explored how the naïve Japanese politicians like the Governor of Tokyo, who has wasted more than 15 billion (Japanese yen) tax payer’s money, has tried to make his own legacy without concern over the people in Japan. The bid for the 2016 Olympic game is just the tip of the iceberg. In Tokyo, the Governor has wasted hundreds billions Japanese yen by created the soi-disant Shin Ginko Tokyo (some TV commentator in Japan has called it “Ishihara Bank”), which has not made much profit for years. Yet, immature citizens in Tokyo still allow him to sit in the Governor`s chair for nearly ten years. Why?

Laodicean Politics in Japan-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:05:25 +0000

When politics shifted the balance of power in Japan, some new information which had been hidden for more than 50 years, came out. On 11 September 2009 before Hatoyama took the office, Japanese bureaucrats disclosed that they sent a congratulatory telegram to elected LDP politicians after each national election. Of course the tax payers paid for these telegrams. Each bureaucrat sent out telegrams to the 20-30 LDP politicians who might be the boss in his/her ministry. According to NTT the congratulatory telegram cost 80,000 Japanese yen (with 25 the Chinese characters) for 20 people (Daily Mainichi).

Chinese Green-I

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:03:26 +0000

In Rizhao, Shandong Province, there are 2.8 million residents and about 99 percent of the households are using solar water heaters, according to the Japanese media. China began to import the Japanese green technology to prevent pollution which has accumulated for the last three decades. Time on 2 November 2009 issue publishes an article regarding the Chinese environment policy which “China is fast becoming one of the world’s largest alternative-energy markets.” Will the Chinese government allow the foreign firms including from Japan and the USA to participate the Chinese green market?

G2-IX

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 07:31:40 +0000

In October, finance ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations held a meeting emphasizing the strong dollar. In the meeting, a G4 (Japan, China, EU, and the US) meeting was proposed by the US, according to the Japanese media. Last year, the White House began to propose the idea of G4, but EU has hesitated to agree the idea. When can EU agree with the G4 idea?

Learning History-VI

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 07:29:29 +0000

On 10 October 2009, Turkey and Armenia normalized relations and sought reconciliation after nearly a century of bitterness over their bloody history. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton worked so hard behind the scene for this day. Both Turkey and Armenia have been in dispute since the World War I massacres of Armenians under Ottoman rule. As a result, Turkey has not been able to join into EU for years. During this financial tsunami, both countries finally shocked their hands tying their economic relations. Is there anything that the Chinese and Japanese can learn from this lesson?

Secret Meeting/Test Obama-IX

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:24:48 +0000

Starting several years ago, Iran began to settle most of its crude oil exports in non-dollar currencies. In October, the Arab states in the Persian Gulf: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar, were in secret talks with Russia, China, Japan, and France to replace the U.S. dollar in the trading of oil. According to the British media the U.S. government was aware the meetings took place. Now, the question is whether or not, but when, the U.S. dollar will lose its position as the major currency that is pegged with other currencies in the world. It is only a matter of time until the Renminbi becomes flexible with other currencies.

G20 Replaces G7/G2-VIII

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:20:15 +0000

In the G20 (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, EU, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, UK, and USA) Summit at Pittsburgh (24-25 September 2009), the 20 largest economies’ leaders finally made one crucial decision – replacing G7, the anachronistic system. More than four months ago, my blog (“G7 Is Died/G2-IV,” posting date: 12 May 2009) stated clearly that the function of G7 is finished. The decision in Pittsburgh made the Japanese government mad because Japan will not be shinning anymore in the Western executive club. In particular, China will play the crucial role in G20 meeting. Besides Japan, Spain and Holland are not happy since both countries will be left out from G20 meeting, too.

Hu Jintao’s Military Control

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:17:57 +0000

Hu Jintao finally began to control the Chinese military. On 20 July, Hu Jintao promoted three “princelings” including the son of Liu Shaoqi, Liu Yuan, to general rank, the highest military rank in PLA. By now, 17 out of 27 military generals were promoted by Hu Jintao, controlling the PLA. Since Hu took the post in the PLA in September 2004, he has rarely promoted people into the general rank. Except in 2006 (10 people), Hu Jintao has only promoted 4 people in 2007 and 3 people in 2008. Also, only 3 people were promoted to general in 2009. By contrary, his predecessor Jiang Zemin promoted many to the rank of general — 6 people in 1993, 19 people in 1994, 10 people in 1998, 16 people in 2000, and 15 people in 2004. According to Hong Kong media (22 September 2009), the grandson of Mao Zedong, Mao Xinyu also was promoted to major general.

BRIC-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:39:06 +0000

When the International Olympic Committee decided to hold the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in the early October, it symbolized that BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) will be major power in the future. China held the 2008 Summer Olympic, Russia will host the 2014 Winter Games, and now Brazil will have the 2016 Summer Olympic. Tokyo spent 15 billion Japanese yen on its campaign to host the game in 2016, but Tokyo lost. More than half of population in the poll did not expect Tokyowould lose the games. But the naïve Japanese politicians spent tax payers money without accountability. Who will re-pay 15 billion Japanese yen of the tax payers’ money?

The Chinese Way of Hegemony-V

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:13:30 +0000

Former diplomat M. K. Bhadrakumar published an article in the Asia Times online (1 August 2009) titled “China dips its toe in the Black Sea.” Beijing and Moldova signed an agreement to loan $1 billion (with 3% interest rate over 15 years and a five-year period on interest payments). Moldova is small country surrounding by Ukraine and Romania, locating near the Black Sea. GDP in Moldova has only $ 8 billion and annual budget about 1.5 billion. Certainly, the Chinese loan will be one of big deal for the Moldova’s government. This symbolizes that Eastern Yellow-Dragon first leap across Central Asian to western edges of Eurasia since Genghis Khan’s era during the Mongolian dynasty (1279-1368). What is the next strategy from Beijing’s Eurasian foreign policy?

Test Obama-VIII

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:18:13 +0000

As New York Times (24 September 2009) describes the United Nations Climate Change Summit in New York, both China and the United States produce 40 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions. In the climate summit, the world needs the leadership from China and the US. Hu Jintao, China’s President, offers that China would reduce its carbon intensity – the amount of CO2 it emits for each dollar to economic output. China will plant to increase trees about 1,300,000,000 square meter by 2020, compare with 2005 level. The size of the area where the trees will be planted is several times the size of Taiwan. Hu’s statement is more specific, but President Obama’s speech lacks specific targets. Unfortunately, Obama could not change his speech because he made his presentation before the Chinese President.

Misrepresentation of Sino-Japanese Relations-I

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:12:48 +0000

Brad Glosserman, executive director of the Pacific Forum CSIS, wrote an article in the Japan Times regarding Japan politics after the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) won the parliamentary election. “The real obstacles to improved Japan-China relations defy any change in government and many require changes not in Tokyo, but in China. The issues include territorial disputes, PLA modernization, a lack of respect for Japan, history, product safety, and crime. They speak to a profound unease in Japan about China’s rise, a sense that Japan doesn’t get the credit it deserves, and difficulties in Japan and Chinain dealing with other Asian nations as equals (16 September 2009).” Glosserman missed the points of Sino-Japanese relations which are more complicated and difficult than ever before. Glosserman`s explanation of Sino-Japanese relations are naïve.

Chinese Aerospace Industry/Doing Businesses in the Chinese Way-II

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:02:19 +0000

Today, only two aerospace companies: Boeing and Airbus, dominate the aerospace industry world-wide. . Now, the Chinese are trying to get into this monopoly industry. In 2008, the 90-seat passenger plane, ARJ21, made its successful flight. The ARJ21 might be suitable for regional and Chinese domestic flights. Another Chinese airplane is the C919, which can carry up to 190 passengers and is scheduling for entry into service in 2016. According to media in Hong Kong Beijingneeds to have following criterions: quality, reliability, performance, customer service, safety, and comfort to survive in the aerospace industry (South China Morning Post 9 September 2009).

Laodicean Politics in Japan-III

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:07:15 +0000

Hugh Cortazzi, a former ambassador to Japan (1980-1984), published his article (“Shifting Balances of Power”) in the Japan Times (11 September 2009). “The new Japanese government will be able to enhance Japan’s world interests only by ensuring that Japan is represented effectively abroad. This requires the appointment of ambassadors willing and able to join in international debates on equal terms with others. It also means that Japan should try hard to find more articulate and able English-speaking officials to serve in international organizations.” No one in Japan will have a problem with the statement of Ambassador Hugh. However, the Japanese bureaucrats have dominated Japan for more than a half century. Can Hatoyama find “more articulate and able English-speaking officials” in Japan? Hatoyama does not have “time” to educate “more articulate and able English-speaking officials” in Japan because he needs to show result within four years. To have “more articulate and able English-speaking officials” requires “time,” and takes at least one or/and two generations (meaning about a half century).

Australia vs. China-III

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:08:51 +0000

In August, the Australian government issued a visa for Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer, but the Chinese government protested strongly. Kadeer visited in August to participate in the Melbournefile festival for the screening of a documentary (“Ten Conditions of Love”) about the exiled Uighur leader. A Chinese diplomat made a phone call to the festival’s director demanding that the film be dropped. Does the Chinese government do Australian “internal affairs,” as Frank Ching indicated in the Japan Times (18 September 2009).

Containing China?/Cold War Mentality-I

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:18:14 +0000

In the middle of August, Senator Jim Webb visited Burmameeting senior general Than Shwe and Nobel Peace Price Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi. After Webb left the country, the Burmese government began to crackdown on the powerful ethnic militias that challenged the regime for more than a half century. As a result, more than 10,000 ethnic Chinese refugees went to neighboring China. Jim Webb is famous for advocating to contain China. Did Webb tell the Burmese government to fight against China, which has supported the Burmese government for years.

Taking Advantage of Victims-V

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:12:58 +0000

One month after Xinjiang unrest on July 5, the Chinese government decided to provide millions in yuan (one yuan = $6.8) renminbi to victims whose stores were ruined. Unfortunately, some local government officials began to pocket some money intended for victims. In some cases, the victim should have received 3,000 yuan for one sq. km. and instead only receive 2,000 yuan for one sq. km. Can bureaucrats do the right thing for victims?

East Asian Community-I/Laodicean Politics in Japan-II

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:06:09 +0000

Before he took the office, Japanese Prime Minister, Hatoyama Yukio, made a proposal to Asian countries- to form an “East Asian Community.” This was not a new idea. The Japanese leaders had the same idea a long time ago, probably during the Meiji Restoration. During WWII, the Japanese imperial army executed the idea by launching the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, resulting in a lot of painful memories for people in the Asian region. However, this time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in China issued a positive response to Hatoyama’s doctrine. But, the Korean media was relatively suspicious regarding Hatoyama’s motives (The JoongAng Daily 16 September 2009). In September when Hatoyama met the Chinese President Hu Jintao proposing the idea of the East Asian Community” in New York, Hu did not response directly. The Chinese leaders are perhaps beginning to be suspicious about Hatoyama’s idea. Will the East Asian Community be like the EU in the future?

Doing Businesses in the Chinese Way-I

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:57:51 +0000

“Whatever the cause, though, Beijing’s only smart way forward is to state clearly that a contract is a contract and that Chinese companies must abide by theirs (The Wall Street Journal 9 September 2009).” The controversy between the Chinese companies and the banks of the Wall Street is when fuel prices were high in 2008. China Eastern, Air China, and Shanghai Airlines, as well as China Ocean Shipping makes derivatives contracts with foreign banks to protect the companies from even higher fuel prices. However, after the Lehman Brothers was bankrupted on 15 September 2009, the price of oil has fallen dramatically. The Chinese airlines alone lost about $2 billion. On 7 September 2009, Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, which oversees these companies, posted a statement on its Web side suggesting that the Chinese government might sue to nullify the contracts. The Wall Street Journal criticizes Beijing to violate capitalism rule, while Beijing condemns foreign banks on the Wall Street to cheat rule by selling these contracts to the Chinese companies. Who is right?

Strategic & Economic Dialogue/G2-VII

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:07:50 +0000

On 27 July 2009, President Obama welcomed the Chinese delegation during two-days of high-level talks between China and the U.S. The issues ranged from climate change to human rights. Of course, media in both countries widely reported the meeting. However, another nation is watching the meeting carefully too. That is no other than Japan (the Japanese media reported the “Chemerica” meeting widely), which had its opportunity to have “G2” meeting during the 1980s. After a few years, “Japan as a number one” and “G2” with Japan has basically disappeared from the newspapers including inside Japan. Now, Japan must be jealous.

The 60-Years-Old PRC/The Chinese Way of Hegemony-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:20:27 +0000

Military parades symbolize national unity and national pride; it is just a show. Both France and India have their military parades annually, but the U.S. rarely holds such parades, instead invading another country to demonstrate its military might. The October 1st Chinese military parade is the 15th military display since Mao Zedong declared the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1949. The 2.5-hours ceremony started with flag bearers marching precisely 169 steps that symbolized 169 years since 1840 when China was humiliated by the Western powers, ceding Hong Kongto the British. Hu Jintao, President of China, Secretary-General of the CCP, and Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese army, reviewed the troops in an open-top Red Flag (Hongqi) limousine made in China. “Today, a socialist China geared to modernization, the world and future has stood rock-firm in the east of the world,” said Hu Jintao, (People’s Daily). In his three-minute speech which was televised live nationwide and throughout the world, he mentioned “peace” 8 times, stressing the peaceful rising China. Most of the weapons including J-10 and J-11 jet fighters, were displayed for the first time for the public. At night, thousands of dancers and singers on Tian’anmen Square enjoyed 100 minutes fireworks display.

Yuanmingyuan-II

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:27:29 +0000

In 1860, the Western powers, such the British and French, invaded Chinaand destroyed Yuanmingyuan, the Old Summer Palace. They were looting and smuggling the finest pieces of the Chinese collections out of China. Thanks to voices of the Chinese people in the internet, Beijingfinally decided to send a team of experts to museums around the world to investigate a million cultural relics which were looted from Yuanmingyuan. According to the Chinese media the team will go to museums in the US, Britain, France, and Japan. “But based on our rough calculations, about 1.67 million relics are housed in more than 200 museums in 47 countries (CCTV).” As the Chinese media states, “A country’s history is of interest to its people before those of any other nation. Having artifacts in a single location that is convenient for tourists and historians, but not the people of the country from which they were taken (South China Morning Post).” Will the Western countries hand over these relics to Beijing?

Internationalization of Renminbi-V

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:04:26 +0000

According to CCTV the Chinese government is going to sell Renminbi bonds denominated in Hong Kong on 8 September 2009. This is the first time that Beijing will sell its bonds outside of mainland China. About 6 billion yuan ($876 million) in bonds will be sold on 28 September 2009. The Chinese officials have often expressed concern about the stability of the dominant US dollar. Will the Renminbi be new global reserve currency?

Test Obama-VII

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:56:53 +0000

After the US won its intellectual property case involving music against China in WTO, the American government has agonized whether to impose special 421 safeguards against Chinese tires. In a politically sparked debate, Obama faced a dilemma based upon promises made to unions during his campaign for the presidency. As a result of these promises, despite large scale opposition, on 11 September 2009, the White House imposed special protectionist tariffs on tire imports from China. China has started its campaign of retaliation. An antidumping and countervailing case was brought against American chicken parts. Last week China announced new antidumping/countervailing duties cases against U.S. automobiles. Can Obama solve the “trade war” with China when he is going to be Beijing?

“Chimerica” Save North Korea-III

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:47:25 +0000

According to the Global Times (3 August 2009), in July China once again rejected in Hong Kong the American proposal seeking cooperation to control North Korea if the emergent case (i.e., the collapse of the dictator regime) occurred in North Korea. This is the third time that China has rejected the idea of the “Chimerica” saving North Korea. The first proposal, initiated by South Korea, was offered by the U.S. in 2004. The second proposal was offered by the U.S. in August 2008 (see the post: “Chemerica” Save North Korea-I on 12 January 2009) after Kim Jong Il disappeared from the public for months prompting concern that the regime might be changed.

The First Execution of the Chinese Citizen in Japan

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:44:37 +0000

The first execution of a Chinese citizen living in Japan occurred on 28 July 2009 since WWII. In 1999, Chen Detong killed 3 people in Kawasaki, Japan. Chen was found guilty by the Tokyo Supreme Court in June 2006. Now, four more Chinese are waiting for the execution in Japan.

Which Country Will Be The First-III

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:38:38 +0000

On 16 July 2009, Bloomberg News reported that the Chinese stock market became the second place behind the Wall Street. The current market price of the Chinese stock market is worth about $3.210 trillion which overtook the Tokyo stock market ($3.200 trillion), but remains behind the U.S. stock market which is worth $10.800 trillion. When the global financial crisis is over, China might take over the second place of the economic superpower (GDP rank) too. Probably the earliest date will be 31 December 2009.

The Third United Front CCP-KMT-XI

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:09:42 +0000

On 26 July 2009, Ma Ying-jeou ran uncontested in the election for Kuomingtang (KMT) party chief. The Chinese communist party chief, Hu Jintao, congratulated Ma Ying-jeou. “I hope that our two parties can continue to promote peaceful development of cross-strait relations, deepen mutual trust, boost the well-being of compatriots on both sides and create a glorious resurrection of the Chinese race,” said Hu. Ma reply stated, “We should never stop efforts to consolidate peace in the Taiwan Strait, resume regional stability and sustain prosperity based on the principles of facing reality, building trust, shelving disputes and creating a win-win scenario (New York Times).” It is matter of time when not whether or not Hu Jintao is going to meet Ma Ying-jeou. This will be another step towards having the third united front CCP-KMT, making the Japanese right-wing nervous. On 12 October 2009, Ma Ying-jeou was inaugurated as the head of KMT, and the Chinese Communist Party called for the promotion of greater cross-Straits trust and understanding (People’s Daily).

Laodicean Politics in Japan-I

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:39:33 +0000

When former Koizumi Junichiro shouted during the 2005 lower house election, “I will destroy LDP if it does not change.” On 30 August 2009, the Japanese voters finally got rid of the lame-duck head of the LDP, Aso Taro, who has been viewed by many as the most arrogant, idiotic, and rich-boy prime minister in modern Japanese history. Ironically, Aso Taro really destroyed the LDP, a wish of Koizumi. Japan’s newly victorious Democratic Party headed by Hatoyama Yukio, who is the first prime minister who has a Ph.D. (from Stanford) and was educated in the West, will face tremendous tasks inside and outside of Japan . It will be unlikely Hatoyama will be able to solve all problems during his tenure office. As Murakami Ryu indicates his article in New York Time (8 September 2009), the Japanese cannot get all results during the four years of the Democratic Party as in the power. The fact of the matter is that the Japanese citizens are expecting a lot (just as Barack Obama in the USA). Can the Democratic Party delivery all expectations?

Learning History-V

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:28:41 +0000

During the U.S. occupation of WWII in Japan, the United States took large quantities of Japanese military government documents for the purpose of investigating Japan’s war crimes and gathering military intelligence. However, the US government copied about 3 percent of a total of 18 million pages of documents on microfilm and sent them back to Japan starting in 1958. These documents recorded the Japanese Imperial Army criminal atrocities, such as Unit 731 (biological and bacteriological weapons on human), comfort women, labor slavery, and Rape of Nanjing etc. between September 1931 and the end of 1948. According to the bill (106th Congress, 1st session) in association with: “(A) the Japanese Imperial Army; (B) any government in any area occupied by the military forces of the Japanese Imperial Army; (C) any government established with the assistance or cooperation of the Japanese Imperial Army; or (D) any government which was ally of the Imperial Army of Japan (Japanese Imperials Army Disclosure Act, 10 November 1999).”

In March 2009, the Japanese Imperial Army Disclosure Act took effect. This bill, which was included in the FY 2001 Intelligence Authorization Bill, was submitted to the Senate by Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, and singed into law by President Bill Clinton in 2000. The content of the law is similar to that of the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act that was passed in 1998. Will the Japanese government and right-wings in Japan cooperate with the US to disclose their criminal acts?

Learning from Sichuan Earthquake?

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:19:20 +0000

A year ago, Sichuan had the 8.0 magnitude earthquake, killing near 70,000 people and destroying a number of schools. People thought the Chinese would learn less from the “Tofu” construction of schools in Sichuan. On 27 June 2009, one year later of tragedy from Sichuan, a building collapsed in Shanghai, where will held the 2010 World Expo. The photo (Xinhua News) of the collapsed buildings has been shown globally in the net. Sadly enough, the Chinese have not learned the lesson from the “Tofu” construction in Sichuan.

Yonakuni Island/Diaoyu-VIII

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:15:03 +0000

On 4 July 2009, the Japanese government decided to send its Self-Defense force to the Yonakuni Island. This led to an alert by the Chinese media including both Taiwan and Hong Kong. The area of the Yonakuni Island is about 28 sq. km. with 1,700 citizen including two policemen, located in south about 500 kilometers from Naha, Okinawa, less than 110 kilometers from Taiwan, about 120 kilometer from the disputed Diaoyu/Senakaku Islands in the East China Sea. What Japan is trying to do in the Yonakuni Island??

The “Multi-Partner World” by Hillary Clinton

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:24:06 +0000

On 15 July 2009, Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, delivered an American foreign policy speech at the Council on Foreign Relations. About half-hour speech has been provided major foreign policy of Obama Administration. “America will always be a world leader as long as we remain true to our ideals and embrace strategies that match the times. So we will exercise American leadership to build partnerships and solve problems that no nation can solve on its own, and we will pursue policies to mobilize more partners and deliver results (U.S. Department of State).” Clinton emphasized the multi-partner world, which both Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice tried to execute during Bush Administration, but had never succeeded. Interestingly, Hillary Clinton’s speech mentioned a number of countries including Japan and China, even Liberia or Ghana. However, she had never stated one nation name – U.K. Unlike George W. Bush, Barack Obama does not like U.K. very much. Why? There is no ally forever. Japan should take the notice from Clinton’s speech.

End of G8/G7

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:09:30 +0000

When Hu Jintao, President of China, left Italy on July 7, in order to respond to civil unrest in Xingjiang, negotiators from G8/G7 (the United States, Britain, France, Japan, Germany, Russia, Canada, and Italy) realized that hopes had evaporated for any major diplomatic breakthroughs at the summit. In L’Aquila Summit, little agreement has been achieved, except some 25 billion agricultural investment initiative to help small farmers in Africa. The effect of G8/G7 has ended since the financial crisis in November 2008.

Apology from Japan/Learning History-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:19:39 +0000

Ichiro Fujisaki, Japanese Ambassador to the U.S., offered a direct apology to a group of the Second World War veterans taken prisoner by Japanese imperial army in the Philippines. “We extend a heartfelt apology for our country having caused tremendous damage and suffering to many people (Japan Times).” A meeting of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor hold at San Antonio, Texas on 30 May 2009. Fujisaki met a survivor of the 1942 Bataan Death March. It is easy for the Japanese to offer apology to the Americans, but not people in the Asian region including the Chinese and Koreans.

North Korean Nuclear War against China?/”Chimerica” Save North Korea-II

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:35:09 +0000

In the beginning of August, former President Bill Clinton visited North Korea asking for the release of two American journalists: Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who were sentenced 15 years in a labor camp. On 11 August 2009, the Chinese newspaper (Hong Kong Economic Journal) published a fantastic article (the author is a research associate from CISAC of Stanford University) regarding Clinton’s visit. During the summit North Korean leader Kim Jong Il enraged China. Recent activities by North Korea including the missiles launch, underground nuclear test, and refusing to participate in the six-party talk, which are aimed the Chinese, but not the Americans. “Our nuclear weapons cannot reach in the U.S., but it can launch into the west” – meaning China. The following day, Hong Kong media picked this story up. Interestingly, on 12 August 2009, Kim Jong Il emphasized the strong “friendship” with the Chinese after visiting the Korean national troupe. Will Kim Jong Il launch a nuclear war against China?

PLA Drills

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:42:00 +0000

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) launched its largest-ever tactical military exercise which involves four military commands: Shenyang, Lanzhou, Jinan, and Guangzhou on 11 August 2009. Each military commands has provided one army division that accounted about 50,000 heavy armored troops over thousands of miles has been participated in a series of live fire drills which will be lasting for two months. But, Nanjing military commands did not participate this drill, which the media in Taiwan are wondering. Why?

Internationalization of Renminbi-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:08:22 +0000

On 2 July 2009, China’s central Bank, Bank of China, issued detailed rules for cross-border trade settled in yuan, or Renminbi. The first transactions with Hong Kong and Macao starts in July using yuan. The central government also approved five cities: Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Gongguan to settle international trade in Chinese currency (PBOC web). This reminds people of 1984 when the central government began to create four Special Economic Zone (SEZs) in southern China, eventually leading China to today’s economy power house. Will Renminbi be internationalized during the 21st century?

Test Obama-VI

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:17:50 +0000

After the 44^th President was sworn into the White House, some new facts regarding 9.11 were revealed globally. Recently, an extremely interesting academic article was published in journal – The Open Chemical Physics Journal (vol. 2, 2009, pp. 7-31) on the issue. The nine authors from European countries and the United States: Niels H. Harrit, Jeffrey Farrer, Steven E. Jones, Kevin R. Ryan, Frank M. Legge, Daniel Farnsworth, Gregg Roberts, James R. Gourley, and Bradley R. Larsen examined dust from the World Trade Center in the article. (This and their paper can be downloaded at http://www.bentham-open.org/pages/content.php?TOCPJ/2009/00000002/00000001/7TOCPJ.SGM). By analyzing “distinctive red/gray chips” in the dust, the authors found “nano-thermite,” which caused the meltdown of the steel of the building. Did the terrorists possess “nano-thermite”? Where did nano technology in the dust come from? Will Obama re-examine the 9.11 evidence?

Learning History-III

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:15:46 +0000

On 18 June 2009, the United States Senate (111th Congress 1st Session) passed a resolution which formally made an apology to African-Americans for racial segregation. “Apology for the enslavement and segregation of African-Americans- The congress – acknowledges the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow laws; apologizes to African-Americans on behalf of the people of the United States, for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow laws; and (C) expresses its recommitment to the principle that all people are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and calls on all people of the United States to work toward eliminating racial prejudices, injustices, and discrimination from our society (Concurrent Resolution SCN 26 ES).”
This is for the first time in its 230-year history, the US government issued a formal apology for slavery and segregation. The unanimous voice vote came five months after Barack Obama became the first black US president. The US House passed the similar resolution in July 2008. Will the Japanese Diet pass the apology resolution toward the damage of Asian people including Chinese and Koreans?

Trains Collide in China

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:25:09 +0000

On 29 June 2009, a train going from Changsha, Hunan Province (K9017) collided with the Shenzhen-bound train (K9063) at 2:34 in the predawn. The incident killed at least 3 people and injured an additional 60 passengers. The Japanese media (Kyodo News) reported that the train (K9017) had a special train which Jiang Zemin, former president of China and head of the CCP, along with his wife, headed to Guangdong Province. Immediate incident, the police unit 126 was secured the area heavily. The CCTV stated the incident, but never mentioned the special train and Jiang Zemin. Why have the Chinese media been silent about the special train of Jiang Zemin?

Japan Passing-III/Supercomputer-I

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:47:05 +0000

It is well-know that the world’s number one supercomputer, “Roadrummer,” was built by IBM for the U.S. Department of Energy at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Probably, people are assumed that Japan will be the second nation to build the fastest supercomputer after the United States. But, this is not true anymore. On 16 June 2009, Dawning Information Industry Co., in Shanghai created “Dawning 5000A,” which can run 100 trillion times in one second, 200 trillion times in one second at the maximum (Kyodo News and People’s Daily). The Chinese named the “Dawning 5000A” the “Magic Cube.” The “Dawning 5000A” will be the only non-American-made supercomputer to rank into the top ten list. China is also the number one position to build the fastest supercomputer in the Asian region. The “Dawning 5000A” employed AMD Barcelona quad-cores processor.

Diaoyu-VII

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:05:42 +0000

On 8 July 2009, Hamada Yasukazu, former Defense Minister in Japan, indicated that the ground Self-Defense Force (SDF) troops will be deployed to Yonaguni Island, Japan’s westernmost islet. Very few people have the geographical knowledge of Yonaguni Island, which is just 110 kilometers from Taiwan’s eastern coast, and roughly 150 kilometers south of Sino-Japanese disputed islands, Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands (Kyodo News and Phoenix TV). Japan’s move had made the Chinese media widely picked the topic as the top news in the Chinese media. What will the Chinese (from both Taiwan and mainland) do?

Sino-American Trade War/G2-VI

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 06:40:02 +0000

On 23 May 2009, the United States was going to file a case to WTO against China. According to Ron Kirk, U.S. Trade Representative, who made the announcement, China has continued to restrict exports of rare metals, including zinc, tin, tungsten, antimony, bauxite, coke, fluorspar, indium, magnesium carbonate, molybdenum, rare earths, silicon, talc, and yellow phosphorous. China is one of countries to produce rare metals, which will be indispensable to for many products, such as cell phone, aircraft, and even space. Will China and the US begin to fight economic war similar to that fought with Japan in the 1980s?

New Chinese Nuclear Submarine

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:00:46 +0000

According to the Chinese media, the Chinese President Hu Jintao inspected a new Chinese nuclear submarine in 1996. The news reflects the new type of submarine 094 or 095 has become part of the Chinese navy. However, during the 60 anniversary of the Chinese navy parade in Qingdao, China did not display its new 094 or 095 submarine. China only showed the old-type 092 nuclear submarine in the parade. Why?

Internationalization of Renminbi-III

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:32:53 +0000

On 7 June 2009, Guo Shuqing, the chairman of China Construction Bank (CCB), made a new proposal regarding Chinese renminbi. “I think the U.S. government and the World Bank can consider the possibility of issuing renminbi bonds in the Hong Kong market and the Shanghai market (Japan Times 9 June 2009).” Some Chinese leaders have tried to internationalization of the Chinese currency; Chinese media have repeatedly insisted in the dollar value. The US might face a hyperinflation after the financial crisis. Guo is a former head of China’s Foreign Exchange Administration, and China Construction Bank is the world’s second-biggest bank by market value currently.

BRIC-III

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:54:15 +0000

The World Bank announced the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2008 on 1 July 2009. Among the top ten, the United States ranks number one at about $14.2 trillion and Japan as number two with $4.9 trillion. However, BRIC have increased their GDP ranks from the previous year. The GDP ranks are number 8th of Brazil (10th in 2007) and number 9th of Russian Federation (11th in 2007). India has $1.2 trillion GDP with 12th position, and China ranks the third with $3.86 trillion (World Development Indicators Database, World Bank). Some economists predict that China will overtake Japan by the end of 2009, when Japan has been recession, and China has been ok.

Rio Espionage Case/Australia vs. China-II

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:05:23 +0000

“Chinese authorities have in fact obtained evidence which proves that (Rio employees) – for a foreign country—Chinese state secrets, which hurt China’s economic interests and economic security,” stated by Wing Gang, a spokesman for Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC). The Chinese government detained four Rio employees, as well as a head of Shougang Group, Tan Yixin. The head of the Shanghai based branch, Stern Hu, who was a naturalized an Australian citizen. Stern Hu, who graduated from Beijing University and worked in the Chinese steel industry for years. He is best friends with Tan Yixin, who graduated from Qinghua University. If anyone spent a lot of time in China and studied Chinese culture, as well as politics for sometimes, one will understand the Chinese way doing business. There is a huge gray-zone between legal and illegal zones. Even though Hu and Tan are the Chinese, they cannot escape the control by the China’s Red-Five-Stars Flag. By the middle of July, Rio Tinto pulled their researchers out of China by moving to Singapore or Australia. The Western media began to speculate whether the Chinese President Hu Jintao supported the Rio espionage case (The Sydney Morning Herald), which the Chinese government has denied.

Kidnapped Children in China-I

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:08:13 +0000

Finally, the Chinese government began to crackdown on child trafficking early this year. The state-controlled CCTV broadcasted the top ten kidnapped criminals in China. Currently, a number of people have created an outcry over the internet reporting that children, in particular boys, ranging in age from 100 days to 8 years, have been kidnapped from poor and interior provinces, such Shanxi and Yunnan Provinces. A child may be sold for anywhere from 7,000 to 40,000 yuan (about $1,000-$5,000), depending on the age and sex. In one case, a son of a working couple was missing for years after he was kidnapped near their house. The parents have looked for their son for years, but without a good result. One day, the father made a business trip to interior China. When the father got off the station, suddenly a beggar kid grappled his right leg to beg . When the father offered money to this dirty boy, the beggar still grappled his leg and was crying saying something which the father did not understand. As the father took a look at the boy again carefully, he realized that the boy resembled his missing son. When the father checked the neck of the beggar, he found the boy had a birthmark in the neck. It is his missing son. “Where were you? What happen to you? Why don’t you say something? Son?,” said the father. When the beggar cried opening his mouth, the father realized that the son’s tongue has been cut off.

American Ambassador in China

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:28:06 +0000

On 16 May 2009, Barack Obama nominated Jon Huntsman, Governor of Utah, as the next ambassador of China. Jon Huntsman is moderate Republican who speaks fluent Chinese. Obama’s move is extremely smart because he has eliminated a number of his enemies who might run in the presidential race in 2012. Besides Hillary Rodham Clinton, Jon Huntsman lost his chance to run the presidential race against Obama in 2012. Huntsman probably figured out that the current chaotic Republican Party would not have a strong chance to win the 2012 race either. It is better for him to serve one of the most important ambassadors globally – China than to prepare to run the 2012 presidential race.

Japan Passing-II

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 11:14:27 +0000

On 25 May 2009, North Korea conducted its second nuclear test since October 2006. About one hour before North Korea regime tested the bomb, the government informed the White House, and so did China. However, North Korea has never cared about Japan at all. The government of Japan should consider “Why?”

BRIC-II

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 05:42:25 +0000

Since a seminal 2001, Jim O’Neill, chief economist of Goldman Sachs began to use the word, BRIC in the research report; today BRIC has turned into an interesting word in the current financial crisis. BRIC, meaning Brazil, Russia, India, and China, met in Yekaterinburg, Russia for a summit on 16 June 2009. BRIC accounts for 42 percent of the world’s population and shares 15 percent of the $60.7 trillion global GDP (Reuters News). Interestingly, A couple days before this summit, G7 (or G8) had their own finance minister meeting in Italy.

Roh Moo Hyun Case

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:58:39 +0000

It was a sad day for the South Korean people when former President Roh Moo Hyun committed suicide on 23 May 2009. One of many reasons for Roh’s suicide was that he felt strong responsibility towards the Korean citizens as prosecutors began to make the bribery case. Well, it is time for the Chinese to learn responsibility too. In case of Taiwan, former President Chen Shui-bian is currently facing a bribery case and is in prison where he writes his books. Chen has constantly claimed his innocent even though his son admitted his guilt of money laundering. In the case of mainland China, no top leaders has been prosecuted for bribery case; however, a few people globally believe that the leaders in Beijing are so clean because there is no an independent judiciary system under the Chinese communist party dictatorship. As a result, no top Chinese leaders are getting in trouble like Roh Monn Hyun in South Korea or Chen Shui-bian in Taiwan.

Sun Yat-sen’s Japanese Wife

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:32:53 +0000

Many people know Dr. Sun Yat-sen had three wives: Lu Muzhen, Soong Ching-ling, and Chen Cuifen. However, recently the Japanese media reported that the daughter of fourth wife of Sun is alive. In 1898, Sun met Ootsuki Kaoru in Yokohama, and Sun made his proposal to her in 1901 when Sun was 36 years old, and Ootsuki was 14 years old. In May 1906, Ootsuki and Sun had a girl named Tomiko who was put up for adoption. But Sun returned to China the following year after his daughter was born. In 1970, Ostsuki Kaoru died at year 82. In 1955, Tomiko received an interview and stated “according to my mom Dr. Sun Yat-sen is my father.” Also, Ootsuki Kaoru left tapes which recorded her life. On 4 September 2009, former President Lee Teng-hui visited Japan and met the grandson of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, Miyamoto Toichi at the dinner in the following day.

No Thanks/G2-V

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:13:30 +0000

On 20 May 2009, China and EU held the 11th China-EU Summit. At the meeting, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao rejected the idea of G2. “Some say that world affairs will be managed solely by China and the US. I think that view is baseless and wrong…. Multi-polarization and multilateralism represent the larger trend and the will of the people…. China stands ready to develop friendly relations and cooperation with all countries and it will never seek hegemony (22 May 2009 Global Times).” The G2 idea was proposed by prominent politicians including Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew Brzezzinski after the international financial meltdown.

The Third United Front CCP-KMT-X

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:45:14 +0000

On 26 May 2009, the Chairman of Kuomingtang (KMT) Wu Poh-hsiung met with General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Hu Jintao in Beijing. During the talks between leaders of the two parties, Hu Jintao made a stunning proposal suggesting that the “end hostility and [that two sides] reach [a] peace agreement,” noting that the “two sides, however, should be prepared and create conditions for solving these problems (military issues).” Wu will talk to Ma Ying-jeou regarding the military trust and peace agreement. This is another victory for the Third United Front CCP-KMT.

The Chinese Spy for Japan

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:04:17 +0000

According to the Japanese media, the Chinese government sentenced Yu Jiafu, a former reporter of Xinhua News Agency, to 18 years in prison recently. The 62-years-old reporter has admitted that he gave the top-secret information regarding the Chinese foreign policy of North Korea to foreign diplomats including Miyamoto Yuji, the Japanese Ambassador to China in 2006. Yu was under house arrest from 31 July 2007 by the State Security Bureau of Langfang, Hebei Province. On 21 December 2007, the Chinese reporter was arrested officially. He was found guilty of obtaining illegal profit by providing the information.

Great Wall is Great!

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:08:39 +0000

In 2009, a Chinese government study was released reporting the total length of the Great Wall according to the Chinese media. A joint project between the State Administration of Cultural Heritage and the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping utilized GPS devices to map parts of war built during Ming dynasty – stretching from Mt. Hu in northern Liaoning province to Jiayu Pass in the western Gansu province. The Great Wall is 8851.8 km long, about 2,500 km longer than the original survey in the 1950s. The joint project will continue for another year in order to map sections of the wall built during the Qin and Han Dynasties.

End of Tamil Tiger War

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:51:07 +0000

In May, Tami Tiger rebels were crushed by the Sri Lanka government’s military, finishing more than a quarter of the century civil war. Since January 2009, the conflict between the government forces and rebel militants cost the lives of at least 7,000 civilians. The western media has denounced the Sri Lanka government because many civilians were used as human shields. Sri Lanka has bought a lot of weapons from China to help in its crackdown against the rebels. As a result, some western media criticized the Chinese government who supports the abuse of human rights. Should the Chinese government take the responsibility for the many civilians’ lives since China, like the US, France, and the UK., is selling the weapons in the global market?

UN Human Rights Council

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:48:50 +0000

The 60-year-old Human Right Commission was replaced by the UN Human Rights Council on 15 March 2006. This year is election year for the members of the UN Human Rights Council (2009-2012): 5 seats from African States, 5 seats from Asian States, 2 seats from Eastern European States, 3 seats from Latin American & Caribbean States, and 3 seats from Western European & other States. The members of the Council are elected by a secret ballot in the General Assembly and must receive at least 97 votes from Assembly’s 192 countries. Members shall not be eligible for immediate re-election after two consecutive terms. Both China and the US were elected to the Council, and others are Cameroon, Djibouti, Mauritius, Nigeria, Senegal, Bangladesh, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, Hungary, Russia Federation, Cuba, Mexico, Uruguay, Belgium, and Norway. Where is Japan? Is Japan able to collect 97 votes in the UN?

Taking Advantage of Victims-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:37:06 +0000

Last year, the government amended the Law on Precautions Against Earthquake and Relief of Disaster, which would protect schools and hospitals requiring them to be able to stand at least a 8.0 earthquakes. In May, it is the first anniversary of the 5.12 earthquake in Sichuan Province. The Chinese government confirmed a total of 5,335 students killed or missing according the Xinhua News on 7 May 2009. Another 546 students were disabled, and about 3,340 schools needed to be rebuilt from the disaster. However, the crucial question is how the Chinese are going to deal with the responsibility of these “Tofu” school constructions. According to the government, near 50 percent of schools were built before 1988 when the law required such buildings to meet the earthquake code. As a result, the government will not seek criminal charges against of any construction companies or corrupt officials who might benefit from these constructions. Ironically, about 15 kilometer of the earthquake center, the three-floor Liuhan Xihuang Elementary School did not collapse; all 511 students are fine. One of the reasons is that the school was not built as a “Tofu” structure. How can the Chinese government explain to those who lost their children in these “Tofu” schools? Ironically, the Chinese local government has harassed many foreign journalists, such as Irish Times, Finnish Broadcasting Company, Agence France-Press, and Financial Times because these journalists have tried to interview the parents who lost their children. Why?? Can anyone in China provide an accountability regarding the “Tofu” schools?

Third-Class Politicians Only Provide the Third-Rate Policy-VIII

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:06:52 +0000

On the surface, Japan is the second economic superpower after the US, but poverty is a major problem which is threatening the basic social welfare in reality. Every three years, the Japanese government conducts a research of poverty levels. According to the Labor and Welfare Ministry 2007 report that the Gini coefficient, a measure of income distribution inequality, recorded 0.5263 in 2005 before the financial meltdown. This datum indicates the worst than 0.4983 registered in 2002. In fact, in 2007, about 10.32 million people earned less than 2 million yen annually. What have the politicians, in particular members of LDP who have controlled Japan for more than six decades, done for the Japanese citizens?

Australia White Paper/Australia vs. China-I

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:25:24 +0000

On 2 May 2009, the Australian government issued its defense white paper indicating that it planned to spend $72 billion protecting itself against the Chinese military threat during next 20 years. The Royal Australian Navy is going to purchase weapons including 100 F-35 jets, 12 new submarines, 8 frigates, and 24 combat helicopters to defend its interests in the Asian-Pacific region. This decision will make the United States happy since Obama is busy addressing the chaotic financial crisis at the home. Japanese right-wings will love the decision by Kevin Rudd, while Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ma Zhongxu asked for an objective analysis without bias (Xinhua News). The fact of the matter is that the Australian army spends $72 billion (for next 20 years) which is less than the Chinese annual official defense expenses. What is purpose for Australia to upset the Chinese?

Slavery of Aso’s Family-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:09:30 +0000

Since the end of WWII, it is the first time former POWs have stepped onto Japanese soil to seek apology from the Japanese prime minister Aso Taro, whose family made POWs serve as slaves in Fukuoka Prefecture. Australian Joseph Coombs, British James McAnulty, the son of late POW, and Patrick McAnulty, arrived in Tokyo on 21 June 2009. “We’d like an apology for the brutal treatment and the conditions we had to work under…. The memory will always be there, but an apology will help ease some of the pain that we experienced…. (Japan Times 20 June 2009),” told Japan Times. “There was always some violence,” Coombs said. “You only had to have one bad guard, one brutal guard, and that could ruin the whole thing; they could make our lives” difficult (Japan Time). Aso’s father was the head of Aso Mining at the time. Aso Taro became president of Aso Cement Co., during the 1970s before going on to politics. Both Cooms and McAnulty agreed that Japanese should be more “educated” on the issue of the Second World War II history (Asahi News).

Slavery of Aso’s Family-III

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:08:38 +0000

The British citizen James McAnulty is seeking an apology from Aso Taro because his father spent long hours at Aso’s family’s Fukuoka Prefecture mine while a former POW. “He (my father) said there was a lack of food and the sleeping quarters were terrible, but sleep was welcome because it was like he was forgetting the pain…. They made immense profits and part of that was off my father’s back. My father should be paid for the years he worked there, and compensated for the cruelty imposed on him and the psychological damage (Japan Times 31 May 2009).” In 2006 when the US media reports first regarding Aso family’s slavery business, Aso Taro, them foreign minister ordered his officials to publicly rubbish the news.

Third-Class Politicians Only Provide the Third-Rate Policy-VII

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:07:27 +0000

Prime Minister Aso Taro made another interesting question on 22 May 2009. “It cannot be true that the number of new influenza infections in China is so low… (Japan Times 4 June 2009).” Because China has 1.3 billion people, about 10 times larger than Japan’s, China should have more people infections. However, Aso forgot the fact that China also experienced its bitter experience of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in 2002, causing more than 320 people death.

Japan Passing-I

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:05:55 +0000

In the beginning of June (June first), Treasury Secretary Tim Githner went on his first foreign trip – China – to reassure Chinese leaders that America is committed to long-term fiscal discipline. In other words, he kept asking the Chinese to keep buying US bonds in order to maintain the recovery of American economy. Interestingly, Githner is not going to visit the second economic power – Japan, but passing Japan. Probably, the United States needs China more than Japan at this moment.

The Chinese Way of Hegemony-III

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:19:26 +0000

When the Chinese President Hu Jintao met with heads of 29 foreign navy delegations which participated in the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in April, Hu launched the idea of the “harmonious ocean.” Hu stated, “China will never seek hegemony, nor will it turn to military expansion or arms races with other nations…. China will unswervingly stick to the road of peaceful development, which demands China to adhere to its defensive national defense policy. The road of peaceful development is a strategic choice made by the Chinese government and people in the line of the nation’s peace-loving traditional culture, the tread of our times and the fundamental interests of China (PLA Daily).” Following Hu’s statement, Chinese ambassador to the UK, Fu Ying, delivered a speech at Oxford University on 29 April 2009. It is the first time a Chinese official has addressed the Oxford Union in 185 years. “China is both big and small, strong and weak nation…. And China is destined to be a strong country without hegemony…… (Embassy of the PRC in the UK).” Will the traditional Chinese hegemony appear to current political affairs?

Diaoyu-VI

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:05:01 +0000

The deadline for coastal states to submit the delimitation of the maritime beyond 200 nautical miles to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was 13 May 2009. The Chinese government submitted initial information on the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles in the East China Sea to the United Nations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC). In the East China Sea, the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands have been the major territorial dispute between Japan and China. What will Japan and China do next?

Zhao Ziyang’s Book

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:22:37 +0000

In June 2009, it is 20 anniversary of “June Fourth” movement. In May, the posthumous memoir of former head of the Chinese Communist Party Zhao Ziyang, Prisoner of the State, was published in the U.S. This book is based on Zhao’s 30 audiotapes which were recorded at his home from 1999 to 2000. One of the important claims by Zhao Ziyang is that the Chinese economic reform, such as dismantling agricultural communes and mapping out export-led growth model, were designed by Zhao, but Deng Xiaoping took most credits. Of course, “without Deng’s support,” none of the economic reform would be possible. Regarding the “June Fourth” movement, Li Peng, played the crucial role in the crackdown against students. Today, the question will be: can China archive its stability and current economic performance if the student leaders including Cai Ling take power in the Chinese politics during “June Fourth Movement?”

Aircraft Carrier-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:03:38 +0000

When Admiral Gary Roughead, U.S. Chief of Naval Operations visited China to participle in the celebration of the Chinese navy’s 60th anniversary in Qingdao in April 2009, a reporter asked a question regarding China’s plan to build its first aircraft carrier. “The advert of an aircraft carrier on the part of the PLA navy, to me, really doesn’t change the nature of our operations at all (China Daily).” He added, “The real issue is: how are those aircraft carriers used, and what is the intent of that capability (Washington Post)?” At the same time, the Japanese media reported China’s first aircraft carrier. However, soi-disant “China threat” is the main theme for Japanese journalists (Kyodo News). Of course, the U.S. would not worry about one aircraft carrier from China because the American navy has more than a dozen aircraft carriers. The Japanese would not need to worry about the Chinese aircraft carrier if Japan never did anything wrong (including many issues since 1894) to the Chinese. Do discussions regarding the so called “China threat” indicate that the Japanese acknowledge their wrongdoings and fear Chinese revenge?

Third-Class Politicians Only Provide the Third-Rate Policy-VI

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 04:32:28 +0000

According to the Nikkei Shimbun 112 LDP Lower House members, or 37.8 percent of the chamber, have direct blood kin in politics. In Aso’s current Cabinet, 11 out 17 ministers belong to political family dynasties (Japan Times). Since the 1990s, 9 out 11 prime ministers (Miyazawa Kiichi, Hosokawa Morihiro, Hata Tsutomu, Hashimoto Ryutaro, Obuchi Keizo, Koizumi Junichiro, Abe Shinzo, Fukuda Yasuo, and Aso Taro), each inherited their “family politics” role. Because these family dynasties continue to expand, talented people basically cannot join politics anymore. Under the name of “democracy,” the political corruption is continuing to play out in Japan. The more political dynasties continue to grow, the less people are interested in politics.

The Third United Front CCP-KMT-IX

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 04:27:52 +0000

When both sides of the Taiwan Strait are getting friendlier, one of groups is getting upset — the Japanese right-wing groups. In May 2009, the Japanese envoy (de facto Japanese embassy in Taipei), Saito Masaki gave a speech at a university in Taiwan. In his speech, the Japanese envoy stated that the Taiwan status has “not been determined.” This statement outraged both the Ma Ying-jeou government and the mainland who issued a statement in protest. This exposes how desperate the Japanese right-wing groups are.

IMF Bonds

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:45:04 +0000

The International Monetary Fund decided to issue its bonds in order to raise money for lenders to combat the global economic crisis after the meeting among the ministerial level of the G7 and G20 (April 25-26). The IMF sought to raise its lending capacity to $750 billion when the G20 met in London on 2 April 2009. Basically, the IMF is bankrupted as it cannot provide money to nations during the financial crisis. Both China and Brail have expressed interest in purchasing IMF bonds. This is the first time ever that the IMF is going to issue its bonds during its 64-years history.

Third-Class Politicians Only Provide the Third-Rate Policy-V

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:37:36 +0000

On 27 April 2009, Nakasone Hirofumi, Foreign Minister of Japan, delivered a speech at a hotel in Tokyo. “China’s strategic direction is unclear and it continues to modernize its nuclear armaments, without cutting down its nuclear weapons. It hasn’t released any information on its capabilities,” stated Nakasone (Japan Times).In his speech, Nakasone also touched on nuclear issues including having Iran, Pakistan, and Israel join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as non-nuclear states and that North Korea should return the 6-parties talks. Asking for China’s nuclear reduction is new Japanese foreign policy. Unfortunately, Nakasone’s idea has not been paid much attention in media inside Japan and overseas because of President Barack Obama’s remark on nuclear disarmament at the Prague in early of April. One might copy one’s idea, but one will never in the prize.

The Third United Front CCP-KMT-VIII

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:29:24 +0000

On 26 April 2009, Chen Yunlin, Head of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, and Chiang Pin-kun, Head of the Straits Exchange Foundation met for the third time to enter a new agreement between the Taiwan Strait in Nanjing. This deal included an increase in the frequency of direct flights, to allow mainland investment in Taiwan, to permit cooperation in criminal investigations, and to permit banks to open branches in each other’s territory, according to the Chinese media. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO), by the end of April, invited Taiwan to participate in meetings in May because Beijing began to allow Taiwan to join international organizations by using the name “Chinese Taipei.”

Buraku vs. Google/Burakumin-II

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:23:08 +0000

Google got into trouble in Japan when Google Earth added historical maps of Japan. Recently, the Justice Ministry in Japan investigated the company because its historical maps revealed “burakumin” location for century ago. The burakumin is a former low-caste community which is one of many taboo issues in Japan. This reflects that Japan is still on of the most invisible racial societies in the world. If the society cannot allow historical evidence to be discussed based upon the historical context, the country is really in trouble. Japan might hide some historical facts, but it will never solve any historical problems including burakumin. Unless the Japanese are willing to facing history sincerely, the Japanese society will always be viewed as an invisible racial society. Maybe it is time for Justice Ministry to ask itself why the Japanese cannot overcome the burakumin issue before making entering an investigation of Google. Is Google a racist company? Or are the Japanese racists?

Aso Visiting China

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:39:05 +0000

During the Japanese golden week, Aso Taro visited Beijingon the 29th. He met the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao and talked about various issues. However, it seems that a number of isues of Sino-Japanese relations have not reached any resolve. While Aso emphasized the Chinese military expenses, Wen criticized Aso’s donation of a potted plant to Yasukuni Shrine. Meanwhile, North Koreaissued a statement threatening to conduct nuclear and missile tests if UN does not apology for criticizing its April 5 rocket launch. Can both Japan and Chinadeal with North Korea while leaders in Tokyo and Beijingagree to solve issues of Sino-Japanese relations?

Democracy or Delusion?/The Radical Japanese Right-wings-I

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 23:44:07 +0000

Everyone is thinking that Japan is democratic society. However, one needs to see it before to believe it. On 20 April 2009, a group of right-wing activists drove a truck with loud speakers passed the house of Dewi Sukarno, who was the former first lady of Indonesia, in Shibuya, Japan. “Go home, traitor!!” It was around 9:30 a.m., when people were out and about on the streets. The major reason of the clashes between Ms. Dewi and the right-wing is that she is too soft on North Korea’s satellite launch during recent TV appearances. Is Japan a democratic society which should allow different opinions to exist? The fundamental principles of democracy are at the turning point in Japan.

New Phenomenon in Japan –II

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:20:10 +0000

These days, Shii Kazuo, party chief of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP), is busy, but he is happy. Shii is one of the happiest people in Japan during this financial chaos. In 1922, the JCP was founded, but it was an illegal organization. In 1945, the JCP was legalized; however, it struggled though polarizing splits between the Soviets and Chinese Communist. The JCP has died down since 1970s. Nevertheless, the JCP is relatively popular among the youth during this financial meltdown. The JCP has increased its members about 415,000 (latest count), and its news paper Akahata [Red Flag] has reached 1.6 million readers (Japan Times). According to the JCP about 1,000 new members are joining its ranks every month (contrast to the massive exodus from ruling LDP (Liberal democratic Party), whose membership has dropped from 5 millions during its heyday to 1 million today). In addition, a video of Shii is broadcasted in YouTube, where most Japanese young people are accessing channels. Karl Marx’s Das Kapital is available in manga or comic cartoon form for the Japanese youth. Will the JCP win more seats in the next the lower house election?

Internationalization of Renminbi-II

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:25:47 +0000

Sin-ming Shaw published an interesting article in a Japanese newspaper, titled “Crony capitalism has taken root in America” (19 May 2009 Japan Times). Shaw criticized Obama’s “stress tests” as the crony capitalism that will corrupt Third World counties to the U.S.A. Just like former treasury secretary Robert Rubin, who served as a director and senior counselor at Citigroup, (which is almost bankrupted), Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Obama’s chief economic adviser Larry Summers are trying to stabilize prices of bank shares in the stock market, but not cleaning up crony capitalism on the Wall Street. In addition, Obama continues to print US dollars as part of his monetary policy. Harvard economist Martin Feldstein has warned that inflation is going to threaten the American economy after 2010 (23 April 2009 Bloomberg News). No wonder the Chinese are worried about the value of the green bucks. Will the Chinese Renminbi be the major currency in the Third World when the dollar faces high inflation?

Nuclear-Armed Japan

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:58:28 +0000

Japan is only country which experienced nuclear bombs. On 19 April 2009, the right-wing politician Nakagawa Shoichi, famous for his drunken appearance during an interview at the February 13-14 minister level G7 meeting, said, “It is common sense worldwide that in pure military terms, nuclear counters nuclear (Japan Times).” A country does not have to possess the bomb in order to secure its nation if the country can make friends with others. Even if Japan has the bomb, it will not make Japan secure because Japan does not have real fiends in the Asia region. Until Japan ready to clean up its dirty laundry, in particular a number of issues in WWII; therefore, Japan will not gain trust among other nations. No national trust means no national security!

Slavery of Aso’s Family-II

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:16:10 +0000

Three Australian prisoners of war wanted Aso Taro to apology because Aso Mining Company’s Yoshikuma Coal Mine in Fukuoka forced POW to work as slaves. Later Aso Taro became president of company. According to the Australian (24 April 2009) three POWs: John “Jack” Hall, Joe Coombs, and Arthur Gigger “signed a joint letter to the Prime Minister in February requesting an apology for their inhumane treatments and for neglecting the historical truth of their experience for so long.” Aso Taro denied these claims without any substantiation considering that he was only four of five when the slavery took place. In January, however, Aso Taro finally acknowledged for the first time that about 300 Allied POWs including 197 Australians had been enslaved by Aso’s family company. Will Aso Taro apology to these three Australian POWs sincerely??

Test Obama-V

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:59:07 +0000

On 13 April 2009, the 15-member United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a residential statement condemning the April 5 missile launch by North Korea. The statement notes that “The Security Council bears in mind the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and in northeast Asia as a whole. The Security Council condemns the 5 April 2009 (local time) launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), which is in contravention of Security Council resolution 1718 (2006),” “The Security Council supports the Six Party Talks, calls for their early resumption, and urges all the participants to intensify their efforts on the full implementation of the 19 September 2005 Joint Statement issued by China, the DPRK, Japan, Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States and their subsequent consensus documents, with a view to achieving the verifiable de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner and to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in northeast Asia (UN Security Council).” About 24-hours later, North Korea issued a statement indicating that it would no longer “participate in the talks any longer, nor will be bound to any agreement of the six-party talk (North Korean Official Statement).” North Korea wants to talk to the United States directly, but Obama has yet to make time. Will Obama make normalized relations with North Korea? Can the six-party talk continue in the future? China is not happy about the recent turn of events, but Japan is laughing because Japan was isolated within the six-party talk.

Third-Class Politicians Only Provide the Third-Rate Policy-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:20:46 +0000

A recent find by the Italian financial police (Guardia Italiana di Finanza) may result in a big jackpot for the Italian government. Two Japanese nationals (around age 50s), carrying U.S. bonds worth $134.5 billion (including 249 US Treasury bonds worth $500 million each, and ten Kennedy bonds, as well as other US government securities worth a billion dollar each) in a suitcase with a false bottom, were seized at Chiasso, 40 km from Milan on the border between Italy and Switzerland (Asiannews.it and Time). If these bonds are genuine, the Italian government would hit the jackpot because the fine alone would be $38 billion, 40 percent of their total value. If these bonds are fake, two Japanese will spend many years in the Italian jail. Some media are suspicious that the Japanese government might try to dump the US bonds in the black market in Switzerland. Based upon the value of the bonds, these two Japanese individuals would rank in 4th place of U.S. bond holders after China, Japan, and Russia (the number 5th place is the U.K.). Was the Japanese government involved in this scheme which amounts to the equivalent of one fourth of the total Japanese government holdings? Interestingly, on 13 June 2009, the Japanese Finance Minister made a statement that Japan will definitely continue to buy the US bonds in the future.

Which Country Will Be The First-II

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:24:58 +0000

On 16 April 2009, the Chinese government released its first quarter GDP growth at 6.1 percent, the slowest pace in a decade. Recently, most countries and regions have the minus economic growth in the first quarter GDP, such as -11.5 percent in Singapore, -1.9 percent in the U.K., -6.1 percent in the USA, -14.2 percent in Japan, -10.24 percent in Taiwan, and about –10.0 percent in EU. Will China achieve its goal of 8 percent of GDP in 2009? Can China save the global financial meltdown? In fact, on 16 July 2009, the Chinese GDP in the second quarter rebounded as 7.9%, the first nation getting out from the global meltdown.

Third-Class Politicians Only Provide the Third-Rate Policy-III

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:49:02 +0000

It is unusually for senior Japanese politicians to criticize high-ranking U.S. officials by name. On 7 April 2009, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General, Hosoda Hiroyuki, criticized former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, who was soft in dealing with the North Korea nuclear threat. Hosoda also condemned Christopher Hill, former chief U.S. negotiator for North Korean nuclear issue in the six-parties talk. “They were weak-kneed. Their ways of dealing with the issue were wrong… North Korea only destroyed a water-cooling tower at the Yongbyon (Japan Times).” Well, it is easy to blame someone else rather than to reflect own mistakes. One of the fundamental duties for politicians is to solve diplomatic issues for its citizens. What did the Japanese politicians contribute the six-party-talk to eliminate nuclear weapons since Koizumi Junichiro visited North Korea? What has LDP done to improve relationship with North Korea? Has LDP solved the Japanese kidnapped problem with North Korea?

Test Obama-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 12:15:16 +0000

As indicated in his landmark speech in Prague on 4 March 2009, Barack Obama has decided to eliminate nuclear weapons. His speech suggests that the United States will seek U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which was signed by Bill Clinton but never passed by the Senate. On the other side of the Pacific Ocean, there is different concern that Obama should consider. On 7 April 2009, Sakamoto Goji, a senior LDP member in Japan shouted, “We (Japan) should deal with this issue (North Korea’s launched satellite on April 5) with a recognition that Japan needs to possess nuclear weapons (Japan Times).” Will Obama allow Japan to have the nuclear weapons?

Aircraft Carrier-III

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:15:29 +0000

During the Beijing meeting (March 20) between Hamada Yasukazu, Japan’s Defense Minister, and General Liang Guanglie, China’s Defense Minister, the Chinese government exposed “new” shocking news for Japan. “China cannot be without an aircraft carrier forever… . China is the only major country in the world that does not have an aircraft carrier,” stated by General Liang (South China Morning Post and Xinhua News). This news has shocked the Japanese leaders who were suspicious about the Chinese building aircraft carrier for years. It is clear that China will build its own aircraft carrier very soon whether Japan likes it or not.

F-22 Cancellation/The Next Generation Fighter Jet-I

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:48:09 +0000

Defense Secretary Robert Gates recommended a broad overhaul of military spending slashed on 6 April 2009. These cuts include the ending production of a F22 fighter and a $13 billion-presidential helicopter. At $140 million-apiece, the F22 fighter is a priority for the Japanese purchase lists because F22 fight can evade radar detection and other capabilities (Japan Times). But the US has refused to sell it to Japan. The cancellation might dash Tokyo’s hopes of acquiring the Lockheed Martin Corporation built jet as a next-generation fighter.

The Chinese Secret Underground Submarine Base?

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:42:43 +0000

In March 2009, the American navy surveillance ship Impeccable was harassed by Chinese ships inside the Chinese 200-miles EEZ (exclusive economic zone) in the South China Sea. The confrontation took place in the high sea, about 120 km from Hainan Island. A similar incident took place with an American EP-3 airplane incident in April 2001 when a Chinese fighter collided with an American EP-3. These incidents are not coincidental. According to the Epoch Time in Washington D.C., China is secretly developing an underground submarine base near Hannan Island. Therefore, the Pentagon has begun spying in the region surrounding Hannan Island. While the US claimed EEZ as the high sea, China interprets the 200-miles EEZ as Chinese territory.

The Third United Front CCP-KMT-VII

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:30:30 +0000

During the Chinese parliament meeting in March, Hong Kong based newspaper, Ta Kung Pao (5 March 2009), published an interesting article from a member of the Chinese army. Lin Xianshun, Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the PLA’s Beijing Military Region Air Force, openly appealed to the public that both sides of the Taiwan Strait should join on the armed forced to act internationally to protect the common interests of the Chinese territories including Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea and Nansha (Spratly) Archipelago in the South China Sea (Ta Kung Pao). Both CCP and KMT will not have problems in terms of protecting the Chinese sovereignty. Will the third united front CCP-KMT be seen in the East China Sea and the South China Sea soon?

“Chimerica”/G2-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:24:02 +0000

“Chimerica,” combining “China” and “American,” reflects a new geostrategic politics created by China’s unprecedented rise power in the global politics. The last time the media used the words “G2” was in the1980s when Japan emerged as the second economic power in the world. Today, after the G20 meeting in London (April 2009), the media began to use “G2” again to describe China and the United States (e.g., CNN News 2 April 2009). The term “Chimerica” was first raised in American academic circles in 2006. In January 2009, when former U.S. national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski visited Beijing to celebrate 30 years of normalized Sino-U.S. relations, the idea of “Chimerica” was floated again. During the presidential campaign, Brzezinski was an adviser to Barack Obama. Well, where is Japan, the second economic superpower in the world, right now? Once again, invisible Japan cannot lead during this financial crisis. Why? Maybe Japanese politicians should think about the reasons.

Internationalization of Renminbi-I

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:25:23 +0000

Chief Executive Donald Tsang was so happy when the Chinese State Council (9 April 2009) decided to introduce a pilot program for using renminbi (RMB) or yuan for cross-border trade settlement in five Chinese cities, such as Shanghai, Guangdong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Dongguan (CCTV). This will promote economic and trade ties between China and neighboring countries and regions, including Hong Kong. The State Council’s decision is following the meeting of G20 in London where there were little results achieved. Furthermore, the internationalization of renminbi is following the proposal by Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) or head of China’s Federal Reserve, who openly launched a campaign to replace the dollar as the global major international currency (PBOC web). Zhou’s argued that the current financial crisis reflects the inherent vulnerabilities and systemic risks of the dollar-based world economy, and an alternative currency should be considered. Unfortunately, China has not made its own currency automatically convertible for Chinese investment. According to Robert J. Samuelson in Japan Timesonly 27 percent of government reserves are using the euro, and 3 percent of government reserves are utilizing the yen. Can renminbi replace dollar as the rival to the dollar in the future?

The 60 Anniversary Naval Festival

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:13:53 +0000

In Qingdao, the Chinese celebrated their 60 anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The Chinese government invited many countries to participate in a naval festival on 23 April 2009. There were 21 naval ships from 14 nations which were joined the celebration (PLA Daily):

1. Canada: HMCS Protecteur AOR509;

2. U.S.: 6,800-ton USS Fitzgerald DDG 62 (a Japan based-destroyer from the 7th fleet);

3. France: FS Vendemiaire F734;

4. India: INS-Mumbai D62 and INS Ranvir D 54;

5. Australia: HMAS Success AOR 304 and HMAS Pirie ACPB 87;

6. New Zealand: HMNZS Te Mana F 111 and Endeavour A11;

7. Pakistan: HMCS PNS Badr 184 and HMCS PNS Nasr 47;

8. Mexico: Sailing ship ARM Cuauhtemoc;

9. Russia: Missile Cruiser Varyag and MB-99 Auxiliary Vessel;

10. Singapore: RSS-68 Formidable-class Frigate;

11. Republic of Korea: “Gang Gam-chan” Destroyer and “Dokdo” Amphibious Ship;

12. Brazil: Amphibious Landing Ship “Garcia D’Avila;”

13. Bangladesh: BNS Osman;

14. Thailand: “Taksin” Frigate 622 and “Bamgpakkong” Frigate 456.

Along with these 21 naval vessels, China displayed its nuclear submarine, the “Kunlunshan” 998 amphibious ship, the “Lanzhou” Destroyer, and a new-type of missile speedboat, which is equipped with an advanced missile and anti-electromagnetic interference system. The question is this, “Where was Japan?” The Japanese navy did not receive an invitation. The Japanese politicians need to think about the reasons. In fact, 87 Diet members including 11 in the cabinet posts visited Yasukuni Shrine, and Aso Taro offered the gift of the “masakaki” – the branches taken from a “sakaki” tree – to the Shrine during the spring festival two-days before the Chinese naval parade.

Test Obama-III

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:41:50 +0000

Despite a number of nations warning North Korea repeatedly for months, Pyongyang launched its rocket claiming that it was a satellite. Japan was outraged and pushed for new sanctions at the U.N. Security Council with new resolution. At the Prague Castle gate, the young president of the United States claimed, “North Korea broke the rules once more by testing a rocket that could be used for a long range missile … This provocation underscores the need for action … Rules must be binding. Violations must be punished. Words must mean something… The world must stand together to stop the spread of these weapons (Obama Speech at Prague on April 5).” But Russia, China, Libya, Uganda, and Vietnam were not convinced the launch violated U.N. Resolution 1718. China expressed it would veto any new resolution because North Korea vows to exit from the six-parties-talk. In the end, the U.S. backed down and agreed to have the non-binding presidential statement, drafted by China. Once again, Japan became an isolated nation which failed to obtain a binding resolution. The winner is North Korea; the loser is Japan. In addition, on 25 May 2009, North Korea conducted nuclear test in the second time since October 2006. What is Obama going to do?

Aircraft Carrier-II

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:15:10 +0000

On 18 March 2009, the largest naval vessel ever built for Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, a 13,950-ton Hyuga with a 195-meter full-length flight deck, was delivered to the Ministry of Defense in Yokohama. On 11 April 2009, the Hyuga opened to the public at the Yokosuka naval base in Kanagawa Prefecture; more than 10,000 visitors board the helicopter-carrying destroyer (Japan Times). This helicopter-carrying destroyer is able to carry up to 11 helicopters aboard, and able to have up to four helicopters, such as the SH-60K antisubmarine helicopters, take off and land almost simultaneously (Kyodo News). Prime Minister Aso Taro denies that the Hyuga is an aircraft carrier, stating the naval vessel does not have offensive capabilities like attack aircraft carriers. The Hyuga destroyer, however, is larger than 13,500-ton light aircraft carriers in Spain and Italy. Because of the 105 billion-yen Hyuga destroyer`s resemblance to a light aircraft carrier with 340 crew members, the Chinese media have expressed concerns about the Japanese reasons for having the Hyuga destroyer. Was the Hyuga built in response to the fact that China is going to build an aircraft carrier in near future.

Chinese Version of Schindler’s List/Learning History-II

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:47:29 +0000

Recently, the Chinese government approved two films (Associated Press): “City of Life and Death” which examines the Nanjing massacre through the eyes of a Chinese soldier, and “John Rabe” which is about German businessman, John Rabe, the head of the 7-sq. km. International Committee for the Nanjing Safety Zone (ICNSZ), who saved about 200,000 Chinese civilians from the Rape of Nanjing during December 1937-February 1938. Based on a true story, “John Rabe” is a biographical film based upon the diary of John Rabe, a Siemens electrical equipment executive who is regarded as a hero in China, a Chinese Oskar Schindler. The $20 million joint project between China and German film companies which premiered in Germany on 2 April 2009, stars the Chinese actress Zhang Jingchu, German actor Ulrich Tukur, American actor Steve Buscemi, and Japanese actors Kagawa Teruyuki, as well as Emoto Akira and was shot in Nanjing and Shanghai. The project had difficulty finding Japanese actors who were willing to participate in the film as a number of the Japanese actors refused to sign on to the film due to political reasons. In “John Rabe,” the uncle of Emperor Hirohito is viewed as the primary person who was responsible for Rape of Nanjing. Unfortunately, in Japan, “John Rabe” will not be shown because strong pressures from the right-wing groups have forced the prohibition of this film. No film distributors dare to show the film in Japan. Is this way for Japan to educate its young generation by prohibiting “John Rabe?” This film will represent Germany in the foreign-language category at next year’s Academy Awards.

Bankruptcy of the UK?

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 30 May 2009 04:14:19 +0000

“I would urge you to sell any sterling you might have. It’s finished. I hate to say it, but I would not put nay money in the UK,” stated by Jim Rogers, co-founder of the Quantum fund with George Soros (Independent 21 January 2009). That is, the bankruptcy of the UK might be imminent. Barclays Bank in the UK, the analogous to Citigroup and Bank of America, needs further bailout by the government. The government of the UK realized that the banking system is extremely dangerous. All banks, such Barclays, RBS, or HBOS, are getting trouble, but except HSBC, whose headquarter is located in London. According to the media from the UK (article title: “Unless we are decisive Britain faces bankruptcy”) the Hong Kong Monetary Authority has independently and strictly regulated its Asian operations of HSBC. “The UK depositors owe Hong Kong a thank you (Guardian 18 January 2009).” Since the Communist China took over sovereignty of Hong Kong in 1997, the Chinese government has at least done great job, in the case of HSBC.

Yuanmingyuan-I

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:38:12 +0000

An auction of art works by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge in February have made the Chinese mad. Two rare bronze sculptures (heads of a rat and a rabbit) of Yuanmingyuan or the Old Summer Palace were stolen by the British and the French during the Second Opium War in 1860. These two items were sold to anonymous telephone bidders for 14 million euros. While a French judge refused a request to halt the sale of the artifacts, Christie’s refused to identify the bidders. This auction had made both the Chinese government and the Chinese people furious because the auction will encourage people to steal and illegally sell cultural items. The State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH) in China imposed limits on what the auction house can take in or out of China (Renmin Ribao). From now on, the Christie’s House in China will have a difficult time conducting business. On 2 March 2009, a Chinese collector Cai Mingchao announced that he got the bid of these two Chinese treasures, but he refused to pay $40.6 million to Yves Saint Laurent by saying, “I believe that any Chinese person would stand up at this time….. But I must stress that this money I cannot pay (Japan Times).”

Chinese Submarine Mission

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 24 May 2009 03:18:30 +0000

Recently, according to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) and the Washington NGO reports Chinese submarine conducted 12 patrols in 2008, twice the number of patrols conducted in 2007, which reports seven patrols. Chinese submarine conducted only two patrols in 2006 and none in 2005. In the case of Russian submarine patrols, the Russian fleet conducted seven patrols in 2007 and 2008 respectively. This information was declassified in documents from the U.S. naval intelligence based on a Freedom of Information Act request by the media including AFP.

Test Obama-II

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:38:43 +0000

President Barack Obama added some 17,000 American troops to the flagging war in Afghanistan in February 2009. Since Kyrgyzstan is going to close the Manas Airport in Central Asia, the U.S. needs to obtain logistical support. The question is where will it come from. If one looks a map, the answer becomes more apparent. All nations surrounding Afghanistan are members of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and associates of the SCO. For instance, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and China are the members of SCO, and the observers of the SCO are Pakistan and Iran. If American does not want to be another loser, (like the British, French, and Russian, who were all defeated in Afghanistan before), the US needs to have cooperation from the SCO. China might be an alternative land-route to access Afghanistan. What will Obama do?

Quemoy-Xiamen Bridge/The Third United Front CCP-KMT-VI

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:48:02 +0000

On 31 December 2008, Hu Jintao made a bold proposal (or often is called Huliudian or Hu’s Six-Points) to Taiwan. Recently, Ma Ying-jeou has reacted positively to Hu’s call. According to both Taiwan and mainland media , one of Ma’s ideas is to build a bridge which can link Quemoy, a Taiwan-controlled fortified island group off the Chinese mainland and Xiamen, a city in the southeastern Chinese province of Fujian. The bridge can cost of up to something $390.5 million, which is very small cost for both Taiwan Strait Chinese. Since the global financial meltdown, the bridge might be a good idea to expand economy for both sides of the Chinese (Japan Times).

G7 Is Died/G2-III

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:32:59 +0000

The Group of Seven (Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the USA) finance ministers and central bank chefs gathered in Rome, Italy during February 13-14 to figure out the solutions of the financial meltdown. Unfortunately, no specific solution of the financial chaos has been found; merely providing some lip-service statement, which has never stabilized global financial markets. The only good news that came from G7 meeting is that, Timothy Geithner, U.S. Treasury Secretary, called the Chinese to help with recovering from the global recession. The Chinese consumers might be able to lift the world out the global recession. The sad new is that G7 is died because everyone needs to wait until G20 in April when China can participate the meeting. Interestingly, when the 44th President of the United States addressed the joint session of the U.S. Congress on 25 February 2009, Obama mentioned the word “G20,” indicating dying of “G7.”

Daily Patrols/Diaoyu-V

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:08:44 +0000

The right-wing Prime Minister Aso Taro expressed his hard-line attitude toward the territorial disputes islets (Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands) with China in the East China Sea. In February 2009, Japan dispatched permanent patrol vessels to theses islands waters from the “periodic patrols” to “daily patrols,” according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Japan reacted by placing oeanographic survey vessels in disputed islets on December 8 last year. Now the tension between Japan and China has elevated. What will be next in the East China Sea??

China’s Auto Sale Passed the U.S.

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:36:00 +0000

The U.S. automobile market had long been world’s largest. On 3 February 2009, automakers reported their sales in January that the U.S. sold 565,976 cars and light trucks and the consumers in China bought 790,000 vehicles (Phoenix TV). For the first time, China passed the U.S. in terms of automobile market. In April 2009, Association of the Chinese Automobile Industry reported that the automobile sold in China surpassed the sale in the United States again in the first quarter in 2009. Will the Chinese economy be recovery sooner than the U.S.?

German Army Stationing France/Learning History-I

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:10:22 +0000

The communiqué on 4 February 2009 by President of France Nicolas Sakozy and Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel is extremely interesting news. According to the agreement the Germany military will be stationed in France according to the BBC News. This is the first time since WWII when the Nazi army invaded France. Can anyone image that the Chinese government will allow the Japanese military to station in China, or the Korean government agrees that Japanese troops can have a military base in Korea? It will not be happened next year, nor next ten years, maybe even the next century. The Japanese should know the reasons “why not.” Unfortunately, a majority of the Japanese youth will not understand this “why not.” Today, many Japanese young people do not even really know what exactly happened during WWII including “Rape of Nanjing” and “Pearl Harbor.”

Japanese “George W. Bush”

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:33:06 +0000

People are remembering some classic gaffes by former President George W. Bush. Prime Minister Aso Taro is Japan’s “George W. Bush.” He has failed during speeches to correctly pronounce certain words, many of them commonly used in daily Japanese. For instance, Aso Taro mispronounced the word “mizou” (unprecedented) as “mizo-yu,” a non-word, and read the word “hinpan” (frequent) as “hanzatsu” (complicated). While the hawkish prime minister is known for some unapologetic remarks on Japan’s wartime past, he was acknowledged his negligence over the mispronunciations, “Those were just reading errors, just mistakes (Japan Times 14 November 2009).” Aso Taro might need to set aside his comic books for a while and begin to study some kanji (Japanese characters) daily. The Chinese media call Aso Taro as “Idiot” Prime Minister and are wondering if Japan will be okay.

Zhengyue Diplomacy/The Chinese Way of Hegemony-II

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:02:20 +0000

In China, Zhengyue Waijiao [New Year Diplomacy] has been a famous phrase among the media including phoenix TV in Hong Kong. The Chinese lunar new year (January 26-February 9) is just started on January 26, 2009, but the Chinese diplomatic strategy is widely launched. First, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao visited Switzerland, Germany, the European Union headquarters in Brussels, Spain, and Britain starting on February 3. Second, Vice President Xi Jinping paid official visits to Mexico, Jamaica, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and Malta during February 8 to 22. Third, President Hu Jintao visited five countries: Saudi Arabia, Mali, Senegal, Tazania, and Mauritius during February 10-17. It is unthinkingable that the Japanese Prime Minister or the President of the United States will make official visits during their new year recess. It is unusually that the President and Vice President of China went to oversea by paying official visits at the same time. This time official visits by the Chinese leaders indicate that China is demonstrated the grand diplomatic strategy. Today, the Chinese economy depends on more than 40% exports, but the financial meltdown has put the Chinese exports in the crisis. Therefore, the rich countries, such Japan, the United States, Britain and others cannot longer buy the Chinese products, meaning the first-line market for exporting nations in trouble. Right now, the Chinese leaders are seeking to expand in the second-line market for exporting nations: Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Mexico, and others. In addition, the Chinese leaders are developing the third-line market for exporting countries: Tazania, Mali, Senegal, and others for the Chinese products. Also, China can get natural resources from these developing countries as well. Have Japanese leaders ever developed similar kinds of grand strategic diplomacy (except leaning to the USA) during the financial meltdown?

Who Is Right??

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:33:52 +0000

After Barack Obama became the 44th President on 20 January 2009, the bandits in Japan and China have different analyses of Obama’s inaugural address. As everyone knows, Obama’s speech does not contain a famous phrase like John F. Kennedy’s inaugural statement “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Nor did the 44th President have sharp phrase like Abraham Lincoln’s famous address at Gettysburg in 1863 such as “government of the People, by the People, for the People.” In Japan, a majority of so-called experts or media commentators praised Obama’s speech as “Great” and “Fantastic” or “Excellent.” However, the Chinese analysts have totally different views from those Japanese. The Chinese believe that the inaugural address by Barack Obama lacks famous phrase because the 44th President does not have executive experience in government and poor record for foreign relations. Since Obama, who comes from ethnic minority, needs helps from a majority of white people to re-build the United States of American both domestically and internationally, he cannot put one famous phrase in his speech. While the Chinese view Obama’s speech is cynical from the comprehensive perspective of the United States of America, the Japanese view the 44th President speech demonstrates a lack of understanding of American society as a whole. Since the US is one of complicated society with multi-ethnic groups, American politics has intertwined into this complex society. Who is right, the Chinese or the Japanese??

Looking for the Chinese As A Scapegoat

Unryu Suganuma — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 09:58:01 +0000

Following the Financial Times chief economics commentator Martin Wolf’s article “Asian Revenge” (Financial Times October 8, 2008, my blog “Asia’s Revenge” Is Nonsense! on 17 November 2008), and his book Fixing Global Finance in 2008, Sebastian Mallaby’s article (title: “Opec has a lesson for China”) began to look at China as scapegoat again in the Washington Post (Washington Post 25 January 2009). Japan was a scapegoat when the United States had huge deficits during the 1980s; China might be the target with respect to the meltdown on Wall Street. It is not coincidence that the U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner comments that “President Obama – backed by the conclusions of a broad range of economists – believes that China is manipulating its currency” (Xinhua News). The comments released from the Senate Finance Committee on January 23, 2009. This is the first comment made by the Obama administration on Sino-U.S. relations. Geithner’s remark might spark worries for many Chinese leaders in Beijing. Will the US go the protectionism road? Might the Chinese leaders decide not to buy US bonds anymore? Will the US and China begin a trade war? It will be fun to watch next four years of Obama’s U.S.-China foreign policy.

Third-Class Politicians Only Provide the Third-Rate Policy-III

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:50:43 +0000

Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP) dropped at an annual pace of 12.7% in the fourth quarter (October-December) 2008. For Japan, it is the worst economic performance since the oil shock of 1974. The financial meltdown center – the United States – only declined of 3.8 % and 6.0% in the euro zone. In the front of the Japanese media, Economy Minister Yosano Kaoru states, “This is the worst crisis in the postwar ear. There is no doubt about it (TBS News).” Really? When the Wall Street was chaotic in last fall, Minister Yosano stated openly that the American financial meltdown will affect Japanese economy “as if Japan were stung by a bee.” Well, a small bee gave a huge bit to Japanese economy. During the weekend meeting of G7 (February 13-14), Finance Minister Nakagawa Shoichi (later, he was forced to resign from the post) gave an extremely weird interview that had broadcasted around global media as if he were drunk. While millions of people are trying to feed their families daily, the Japanese politicians do not have any urgency to face the financial chaos because they are not looking for jobs. How can the Japanese economy get better before getting worst if these irresponsible politicians are still staying in power?

Can BRIC Be Superpowers???/BRIC-I

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:49:16 +0000

Since the financial meltdown on Wall Street, a popular word has suddenly appeared in the Asian media. That is “BRIC”!!! From the Chinese Phoenix TV to the Japanese newspapers, even in the airline magazine such as United Leader’s Review (in Japanese language November 10-January 9 issue, pp. 16-19), published the article about the BRIC. The word, BRIC, represents Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Sometimes, the media add “s” into the BRIC, as BRICs, whose “s” is signified the “next eleven nations,” including Philippines, Iran, Nigeria, and Vietnam. In Chinese, BRIC is called Sikuai Jinzhuan, Four Golden Bricks. According to the Goldman Sacks Report the BRIC will overtake G7 (Group Industry Nations) by the middle this century, in terms of GDP because with stable political environment, the BRIC has vast land, huge population, and abounding national resources. According to PHP Institute in Japan the GDP of the BRICs will catch to the G7 by 2030, much earlier than the Goldman Sacks prediction. Will BRIC save this financial mess which created by the USA? Will BRIC be the next superpower after Pax Americana?

Persistent Salesman/Tamogami-III

Unryu Suganuma — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 09:02:52 +0000

These days, Tamogami Toshio is busy appearing on TV shows, publishing books, and holding sponsored lectures. Tamogami also had an interview with the Japan Times. Since he was fired on 31 October 2008, Tamogami appears to view his mission to convince people that his theory of WWII is right. “I remember once when an SDF serviceman was involved in a murder, and even he wasn’t fired overnight. My case ironically proved that the Defense Ministry can act fast if it wants to,” Tamogami stated (Japan Times 28 January 2009). According to Tomogami history lessons in Japanese schools are overly “submissive” and based on “self-denial,” and thus pose an obstacle to foster a sense of patriotism. Can Tomogami revise history of WWII? Will the Tokyo trial be re-written?

New Phenomenon in Japan-I

Unryu Suganuma — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:41:03 +0000

Today, it will be difficulty for anyone to find a number of young Chinese reading a proletarian novel in street of Beijing. Even within communist system, communist philosophy is not popular at all. However, it is totally different in Japan. Since 2008, a great phenomenon occurred among youth Japanese. The proletarian novel, Kani Kosen[The Crab Factory Ship], by Kobayashi Takiji who passed away more than 75 years, became one of the bestseller novels in Japan. Kani Kosen portrays a ship’s crew forced into harsh labor under a sadistic captain. Within a few months, more than 300,000 copies sold out, and one third of the readers are Japanese youth it their 20s. Kobayashi published Kani Kosen in 1929, but it was re-discovered by the 21st century Japanese youth. In addition, the membership of Japanese Communist Party (JCP) has double, more than 15,000 new members since September 2007. About 20 percent of new members are under the age of 30 (Japan Times). For more than 21 years, the Japanese Communist Party’s newspaper Akahata [Red Flag] has increased its subscribers. Ironically, when the Chinese youth in the communist system are not interested in Communism, the Japanese young people in the democratic system are crazy about Communism. Furthermore, a “manga” version of Das Kapital by Karl Marx became one of the great Christmas gifts in Japan. It sold more than 6,000 copes in the first few days in December 2008. Moreover, Kani Kosen will have TV drama in Japan by 2009. These phenomenon in Japan reflect the fact that that Japan has not had the “government of the People, by the People, for the People” at all, and the Japanese politicians, especially, LDP which are controlled Japan for more than 60 years, have done terrible job for the Japanese citizens.

Test Obama-I

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:06:06 +0000

The young president of the United States has stayed in his office less than a month; one of major challenges that might face to the US. Surprisingly, it is not the Middle East problem. On 3 February 2009, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kyrgyzstan informed the Obama administration that Kyrgyzstan will close a U.S. air base. The announcement seemed to catch American diplomats by surprise. In the next day, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and President Kyrgyzstan announced officially to the world in Moscow. Basically, within 24 hours, the global media reported that Obama’s diplomacy is challenging. The air base in Kyrgyzstan is located at the Manas airport near capital of Bishkek, the only American military foothold in Central Asia. Geopolitically speaking, the location of the Manas airport is straddling Europe and close to volatile nations such as Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Since Obama is going to shift the American forces to Afghanistan from Iraqi, it is shocked to young president. What will the US and NATO do next? Will Obama ask China to open its territory to access Afghanistan?

Beijing Consensus, not Washington Consensus

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:01:38 +0000

Charles W. Freeman III, head of the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), published the Freeman Report titled “Heeding the Lessons of Failure” (December 2008). In the report, Freeman claims that China has never embraced the Washington Consensus by pursuing development goals within the framework of the U.S.-led economic order and under the security afforded by American leadership in the Pacific. After the meltdown on Wall Street started, the Chinese government proclaimed its development model, Beijing Consensus, to be an alternative of the Washington Consensus. When China’s Vice Premier Wang Qishan sarcastically pointed to his counterpart, former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, at the July (in 2008) meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue, “We’ve been listening to you as your students and now we find out our teacher has problems.” China is getting the role of superpower in the Asian region

Obama Will Choose China or Japan

Unryu Suganuma — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:03:52 +0000

Two interesting articles appeared in the newspaper regarding Obama’s foreign policy when Barack Obama was taking the oath in front of millions people on January 20, 2009. One is written by former diplomat Henry Kissinger (Independent 20 January 2009), and the other is written by Japanologists Richard Samuels and James Schoff (International Herald Tribute 22 January 2009). While Kissinger emphasizes the role of China which the US will need China’s help by saying, “The role of China in a new world order is crucial,” Samuels stresses the attention of an alliance which should consider by saying, “Greater Japanese contributions to global order are needed …” Whereas Samuels uses the word “China” five times and “Beijing” twice in his article, Kissinger does not mention “Japan” and “Tokyo” in his article at all. Instead, Kissinger employs the word “China” six times in his Obama’s world order article. One thing is clear that China has increasingly been the crucial role in geopolitical arena. Will Barack Obama listen to suggestions by Kissinger or Samuels?

Serfs Emancipation Day/Dalai Lama-III

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:44:59 +0000

On January 19, 2009, more than 380 legislators in Tibet endorsed a bill to mark March 28 as “Serfs Emancipation Day,” according to CCTV. In 1959, the date when one million serfs and slaves in the region were freed, the State Council dismissed the local government of Tibet and replace it with a preparatory committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region. The preceding of the date on March 17, 1959, Dalai Lama left Lhasa with 20 men to the Himalayan town of Dharamsala, India. In March, there are many extreme sensitive dates for the Tibetans; what will Dalai Lama and his followers do next? Will there be riot again to cerebrate Dalai Lama exile in March?

Buraku vs. Barack/Burakumin-I

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 02:55:33 +0000

On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama became the 44th President, the first minority ethnic President in more than 230 years of American history. According to Hong Kong media 1.5 billions people watched Obama’s inauguration ceremony. The society of the superpower of the world is beginning to change. Unfortunately, on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, the second economic superpower, Japan, has not changed at all. Japan is still struggling with prejudices that are preventing it from breaking ancient taboos. The New York Times (January 15, 2009) had an extremely interesting article, “Japan’s Outcasts Still Wait for Acceptance,” comparing with minorities treatment in both sides of the Pacific Ocean. The buraku or burakumin, is not my misspelling of Barack (Obama), are descendants of Japanese who performed tasks including slaughterers, undertakers, and executioners. These Japanese were called eta (defiled mass) or hinin (nonhuman) who were forced to wear telltale clothing, becoming segregated into their own neighborhoods. During the Tokugawa era (1603-1867), the government officially made the buraku an outcasts class. The word of buraku existed as far as the 13century in Japanese history. However, in 1871, the Japanese government officially liberated the buraku, just a few years after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the U.S. Today, the fact that Nonaka Hiromu holds the number two position of the Japanese government and could be the top leader in Japan, is as significant as America’s election of Barack Obama in 2008. Nevertheless, Nonaka did not get into stage of the candidate of the Japanese prime minister because he originated from the buraku. One resister to Nonaka’s becoming prime minister is Aso Taro (current prime minister). “Are we really going to let those people take over the leadership of Japan?” Aso stated in the closed-door meeting in 2001. Eventually, Koizumi Junichiro took the seat of the prime minister in 2001. It should not be surprised to people who really understand Japanese history, culture, and society because Japan is an invisible racist society. Unlike the USA, a lot of issues, such as race (between black and white), can not be even be discussed in Japan. Everyone is staying away from the buraku issue, one of many taboo issues, and not even taking Aso’s comment as a scandal, because the topic is till a major taboo in Japan. It is unthinkable that the buraku can be the prime minister, nor any other minorities including zainichi Korean (Korean who are living in Japan for generations) can be “Japanese Barack Obama.” It will not happen in this century, and the next century. There is a long, long, and long way to go for the Japanese people to have “Japanese Barack Obama.”

Who Tricks Whom?/Diaoyu-IV

Unryu Suganuma — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:26:03 +0000

Aso Taro believes that the United States will be required to help Japan under a bilateral security treaty if a foreign country invades the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. Aso’s comments were made at a meeting on foreign affairs at the House of Representatives Budget Committee when Maehara Seiji of the Democratic Party of Japan asked a question regarding Sino-Japanese territorial disputes. This issue has become news in both the Japanese and Chinese media, as well as, in the international media. The facts are as follows:
1. On February 23: Prime Minister Aso Taro left at night from Tokyo for Washington. It took 26-hours to get to the USA (Japan Times).
2. On February 23: Prime Minister Aso Taro arrived at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland at night (Japan Times).
3. On February 24: There was a 60-minute talk between Prime Minister Aso Taro and President Barack Obama. Aso Taro was the first foreign dignitary to visit the White House since the 44th president took office (Japan Times).
4. On February 24: North Korea announced that it would launch a satellite into space soon (Jiji News).
5. On February 25: Aso returned to Japan claiming that the meeting with President Obama was “great success.” That night, Aso summoned all members of his cabinet to report on his visit to the White House (Nippon News Network).
6. On February 26: Aso Taro answered that the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States covered all Japanese territory including the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands (TBS News).
7. On February 26: The Chinese Foreign Minister spokesman Ma Zhaoxu stated that the Diaoyu and adjacent islets had been Chinese territories since ancient times. “The Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States, as a bilateral arrangement, should not undermine the interest of any third party including China. Any attempt to cover the Diaoyu Islands under the Treaty is absolutely unacceptable to the Chinese people. We have lodged a solemn representation to Japan once again and urged the U.S. to make clarification over the relevant reports. We hope Japan and the U.S. can realize the great sensitivity of the issue with discretion in words and deeds and refrain from doing anything that may undermine regional stability or the overall interests of China-Japan relations and China-U.S. relations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC).”
8. On February 27: Japanese Foreign Minister Nakasone Hirofumi states that the U.S.-Japan Treaty is applicable to the Senkaku Islands (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan).
9. On February 27: China rejected the Japanese Foreign Minister Nakasone’s remarks that Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and United States is applicable to the Diaoyu Islands. “Any words and deeds that bring the Diaoyu Islands into the scope of the Japan-U.S. Mutual Cooperation and Security Treaty are absolutely unacceptable for the Chinese people…. We have lodged stern representations to Japan again and required the United States to clarify reports on the issue (Embassy of the PRC in Japan; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC; Xinhua News).”
10. On February 28: Larry Walker, a spokesman for the American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto U.S. embassy in Taipei, states, “The Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security signed by Tokyo and Washington in 1960, which states that it applies to the territories under the administration of Japan, does apply to the island…. The U.S. does not take a position on the ultimate sovereignty of the islands. We expect the claimants to resolve the issue through peaceful means and among themselves (Kyodo News).”
11. On February 28: Nakasone Hirofumi arrived at Beijing to meet the Chinese leaders. Both sides agreed that it should not escalate in the case of the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands disputes (Nihon TV Network News).
12. On February 28: The Stated Department officials read the statement to Hong Kong Phoenix TV regarding Sino-Japanese territory disputes in the East China Sea. “The United States position on this issue of the Senkaku Islands is the long standing, and has not changed…. The United States does not take the position on the question of the ultimate sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands. We do expect the claimants will resolve the issue through peaceful means among themselves (Phoenix TV News).”
13. On March 2: During the Daily Press Briefing, Gordon Douguid, Acting Deputy State Department Spokesman, answered the question of the Senkaku Islands as following: “QUESTION: Yes, on Senkaku Island, I just want to – can you clarify the position of – current U.S. position on Senkaku Island, because U.S. plans that – Japan is (inaudible) U.S. agree with the idea of Senkaku Island north to Japan? Does U.S. really agree with that?” MR. DUGUID: I’ve seen reports on the discussions going on between Japan and Russia on this. I’ll have to take that question, though. I don’t have a formal opinion for you at this time (U.S. Department of States).

Before analyzing the whole story, there are some corrections regarding U.S. Department of States due to the lack of knowledge of geography. First of all, in the question section, the Senkaku Islands is not located in “north of Japan” (that is, northern territory 4 islets between Japan and Russia), but “southern Japan,” near Okinawa. Second, in the answer section, it is not “between Japan and Russia,” but “between Japan and China.”

14. On March 5: Cabinet Secretary Kawamura Takeo stated that the Japanese government has confirmed with the United States that the countries’ bilateral security treaty applies to the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands. “We have confirmed that the U.S. government’s understanding is not different from the conventional view” that the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty applies to the disputed islets in the East China Sea (Kyodo News).
15. On March 5: During the Daily Press Briefing, Gordon Douguid, Acting Deputy State Department Spokesman, answered the question of the Senkaku Islands as following:
“Question: On Senkaku Islands, because our reporter just - in Japan just had an exclusive interview with spokesperson of Japan-U.S. affair. MR. DUGUID: Yes. QUESTION: And he indicated that U.S. has advised to Japan on Senkaku Islands issue very clearly, that Senkaku Islands actually is included in Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan. So can you confirm that statement? MR. DUGUID: I can’t confirm that statement right now. I’ll try and get you something right after the briefing (U.S. Department of States).”

Chinese citizens on the net have focused only on Aso’s claims over the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands calling for war. “It has been so many years since we fought a proper war. Let’s fight a good one now, boost domestic consumption and the people’s moral…” “It’s timely to fight now with the American and Japanese economies in troubles (Straits Times).” In the end, as a TV commentator in Hong Kong states, “Riben Dachao Diaoyu Dao [Japan is trying to make a big deal in the Diaoyu Islands],” “Zhongguo Wenzuo Diaoyu Chuan [China is sitting on the fishing (i.e., Diaoyu) boat steadily]!”

One thing is clear: the U.S. has not changed its position regarding Sino-Japanese territorial disputes. Probably when Aso visited the White House, he got a guarantee from Obama, protecting Japanese territory if North Korea launched missiles to Japan under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. Subsequently, Aso implied the guarantee that the U.S. would join Japan to claim the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. During the 60 minutes summit between Obama-Aso, they probably talked substantive issues for only 30 minutes because there was an interpreter between the Japanese and English languages. During the 30 minutes talk, many issues, including the financial crisis needed to be addressed. There was no chance to go into details regarding a specific issue such as, Sino-Japanese or Japanese-Russian territorial disputes. In addition, the Sino-Japanese territorial issue is not an immediate threat to American interests at all. Since Obama has not filled all levels of the State Department after a month when he took office, U.S. foreign policy toward the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands position will unlikely be changed as shown by Duguid’s daily press brief (above #13). The State Department does not know what exactly happened in the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands of the East China Sea.

A View from Hong Kong

Unryu Suganuma — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:50:08 +0000

Lau Nai-keung, a politician in Hong Kong, wrote a piece in South China Morning Post (December 26, 2008) entitled “Proof that China will no longer be bullied.” Internally, Beijing has faced tremendous pressure to take action to defend China’s vital national interests. These tough foreign policy actions include the cancelation of the Sino-European summit due to Nicholas Sarkozy’s meeting the Dalai Lama in Poland. China also for the first time sent two coastal patrol frigates to the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands in a show of might against Japan. Probably, the Chinese military has increasingly voiced out its opinion regarding the Chinese foreign policy.

University in Crisis

Unryu Suganuma — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:02:27 +0000

Nobuo Miyamoto, Chairman of Board Regent of Komazawa University, was fired in December. As one of the oldest universities in Tokyo, Komazawa University suffered a $15.4 billion loss from derivatives trading (i.e., currency swaps) that were manipulated by three financial institutions. Recently, both Nanzan University and Aichi University reported losses of 3.4 billion and 2.8 billion Japanese yen. In the U.S., Yale University announced billions in losses due to the financial meltdown. These are just tip of iceberg. More universities and colleges will face more financial difficulty. Will any Chinese colleges or Universities avoid losses due to the financial crisis?