The return of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to power provided a firmer foundation for cooperation with the United States, but at the same time “jeopardized” American interests in the region by inflaming historical tensions, a congressional report said.
The Congressional Research Service also said in a recent report on U.S.-Japan relations that the U.S. has tried to strike a balance between deepening the alliance as part of its Asia rebalance policy and “quietly pressuring Japan to avoid upsetting regional relations.”
“The combination of political continuity in Tokyo and Abe’s implementation of many policies that the United States favors have provided a much firmer foundation for U.S.-Japan cooperation and planning on a wide range of regional matters,” the CRS report said.
“Simultaneously, however, Abe and his government may have jeopardized U.S. interests in the region by taking steps that aggravate historical animosities between Japan and its neighbors, particularly China and South Korea,” the report said.
The report also noted that comments and actions on controversial historical issues by Abe and members of his Cabinet have contributed to tense relations in the region.
“Compared to his predecessors, Abe has taken positions that many see as more strongly nationalist on a range of issues that have prompted strong negative reactions from China and South Korea,” it said, citing such issues as Japan’s sexual slavery during World War II and attempts to whitewash such wartime atrocities.
Abe’s statement issued in August to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II also drew criticism from South Korea and China, the report said, adding that the U.S. welcomes expressions of remorse and the commitment to uphold past Japanese governments’ apologies and statements on history. (Yonhap)
