Expectations for Obama running high in Japan

By Takehiko Kajita

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Tatanka at 08:26 AM JST - 25th November

Expectations = 1) buy all the crap we ship to you; 2) return the exchange rate to 150 to the dollar and 3) protect our country w/o any military presence here.
soldave at 09:31 AM JST - 25th November

"Japan had insisted Washington not take Pyongyang off the list until progress is made about the issue of North Korea’s kidnappings of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s."

It took a while to come. I was thinking they might get through a article about the Japan-US relationship without mentioning DPRK for a second.
Statistician at 10:45 AM JST - 25th November

Should Aso, who became prime minister in September, be forced out of office with his Liberal Democratic Party’s possible defeat, it would be inevitable for Japan’s ties with the Obama administration to weaken.

Are you serious? Obama would be delighted to see the back of 'has-been' conservative politicians like Aso and the rest of his LDP cronies. He would be delighted to see the DPJ win the next election.
medievaltimes at 11:15 AM JST - 25th November

Japan is like a child that needs America to hold its hand.
Ninjazilla at 07:37 PM JST - 25th November

This article is a bit vague,maybe thats the translation.
sharky1 at 08:36 PM JST - 25th November

This is good news for Japan, because I heard that President Bush doesn't like Barak(coli)...
Nessie at 09:31 PM JST - 25th November

When Obama parts the waters of the Pacific and Kim Jong Il doesn't try to drive his chariot through, boy will people be disappointed.
BrightEyes at 12:19 AM JST - 26th November

Call the Waaahhhmbulance!

America isn't giving us everything we want!

That's it! We've had enough of this! We're going to make clear that we have high expectations that Obama will give us everything that we want and pretend that our country never did anything wrong!

Japan is someday going to have to learn that the sine qua non of successful diplomacy is being able to look your partner in the eye and have a ready answer when he asks: "What's in it for me?"

"We'll stop whining and carrying on like a bunch of junior high schoolers." is not a convincing answer to that question.
tkoind2 at 09:11 AM JST - 26th November

"Passage last year of a House of Representatives resolution demanding an apology from Japan over its military’s sexual enslavement of young women in Asia during World War II disillusioned many Japanese."

Too bad. Japan needs to come to terms with the past for both history instruction and for regional healing. If they don't like it, tough, it is a reality they cannot run from.

As for Obama. Simply, Bush was the worst thing for US foreign relations ever. He made idiotic decisions, angered many around the world and enacted policies that helped lead to all the nightmares we face today. On top of that the man is quite honestly a Redneck in a suit. His down home style make me think of some character in a Texas barbershop and he lacks all qualities that a president should have.

Obama is simply "Presidential". He is articulate, direct, intelligent and seems very much to have a plan for what he intends to do. He will reach out to the global community and he will get things done, intelligently.

So it is hard not to have high expectations of this inspiring new president.
Wolfpack at 11:04 AM JST - 26th November

Relations between the US and Japan have been pretty good under Bush - particularly when Koizumi was PM. It is a travesty that the US Congress will not share the F-22 with the Japanese. Japan is the UK of the Pacific for America and Congress is being short-sighted by not pay more attention to Japan's security needs. The chosen one will surely undermine relations with Japan as he will pretty much go along with anything the Dems in Congress want. Expect more WWII related resolutions, some more protectionism, and more kow-towing to Kim Ill Jong in the future.
Nordon at 03:50 PM JST - 26th November

I'm not aware anyone else is getting the F-22 either.

However, the recent and repeated military tech secrets being mishandled and leaked in the JSDF has by their own record, prevented the sell of the F-22.

That plane is ridiculously powerful. Leaking the secrets on that plane would just give China and Russia some scary capabilities.

Moderator: Back on topic please.
1eyedjack at 04:54 PM JST - 26th November

"Expectations for Obama are running high in Japan—not only among political and policymaking circles but also among the general public."

Absolute nonsense ! The daily papers here have been going on and on about how the Japanese are more concerned about Obama's protectionist policies and pre-election rhetoric about focusing on "jobs for Americans" ! Japan must face the cold hard facts, years of closed mrkets and one way trade will do nothing to enhance their position with this new president, Oh and I just can't wait for Tokyo Gov. Ishihara to get a close look at Obama. If Japan thought the 90's were tough to swallow, just wait for the next stage of "Japan passing" to hit full speed !
jeancolmar at 10:26 PM JST - 26th November

Is this about Japan's expectations or about this writer's expectations? Given the lack of any sort of referencing I suspect it is the latter.

Whatever the case, don't expect Obama to be a Santa Claus for Japan.

What is pathetic is that this writer wants the US to put North Korea back of it terrorist list because of the abductions but is offended by a congressional resolution demanding the Japanese property apologize to a compensate Japan's former sex slaves. Translation: when Japan abducts people its really okay.

What dipstick article.
Xeno23 at 04:05 PM JST - 27th November

Didn't we all just comment on this exact same frickin thing two weeks ago - was that article just put through the rehash filter and spit out again? Newsflash: no change from then, folks!

No doubt it's the whopping huge SILENCE from Obama's posse on East Asia in general that's fueling rootless journalistic speculation, i.e. make news stories. Just in case preparing a cabinet to deal with the global financial fracas isn't taking up enough of Obama's time and attention. Oh yeah, and the war. And all the panhandling US corporations. And the upcoming bleak holiday shopping season...
Loki520 at 08:06 PM JST - 29th November

"What are these EXPECTATIONS and how high are they running??"

Hard to have expectations other than CHANGE and HOPE. And since he has become the president elect, those have been evolving into REALITY and CIRCUMSTANCE.