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  smithinjapan at 12:47 PM JST - 23rd January

  All good and dandy to say 'we agree to deal with this and that problem'; saying HOW they will is something else. Will they simply talk about it? Will the US exert pressure on NK to resolve the abduction issue, or merely say it needs to be resolved? Ditto for the 'global economy'.

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  ReexJax at 12:51 PM JST - 23rd January

  Since her hubby gave NK nukes it seems appropriate she be the one to talk to them LOL

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  soldave at 01:16 PM JST - 23rd January

  Nakasone: "I hope we can work together to continue dialogue with DPRK, kick-start the 6-party talks, confirm DPRK's nuclear disarmament and integration into the international society, and... ahem, our abduction problem".

  Clinton: "Yes, yes. We will work to further improve our ties with Japan"

  Nakasone: "Quick, go tell Kyodo News and NHK that Clinton is going to solve out abduction problem for us!"

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  telecasterplayer at 01:54 PM JST - 23rd January

  Hopefully Secretary Clinton will be able to do something to get the abductees freed.

  Reexjax, wrong. North Korea got nukes because the Bush administration wasn't able to multitask and keep Pyong Yang engaged. And so with no one willing to say, "no," Kim got the bomb.

  And by the way, North Korea built its nuclear reactors using parts purchased from the Swiss company ABB. Guess who sat on the board of ABB during the time of the purchases, and travelled to Zurich to attend nearly every quarterly board meeting? Donald Rumsfeld. And then he went on to become Bush's Defense Sec'y and blame the North Korean nukes on Clinton. ABB also revealed that Rumsfeld was involved with the company in 2000, when it got a $200 million contract with Pyongyang.

  Mod, please don't delete this comment without deleting the misinformation that preceded it. Fair is fair.

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  some14some at 03:42 PM JST - 23rd January

  Clinton's priority: Japan's assistance (financial) for Afghanistan and immediate payment to NK for participating in 6-party talks. 3rd step: to resolve abduction issue bilaterally.

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  ReexJax at 04:23 PM JST - 23rd January

  How did they get the material to make the nukes? It was from the Jimmy Carter brokered deal under Clinton. Sorry, you can't blame Boosh for everything anymore, I know it makes you sad.

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  ReikiZen at 06:09 PM JST - 23rd January

  Well this certainly is a good start. US-Japan relations in regards to Okinawa has always been a love hate relationship to begin with. It certainly hasn't helped having all the abductions and scandals either. It would just be a mater of time before it happened again thus straining relations even further. This certainly signifies a major change in Japan-US policy no doubt and is the right choice. Not to mention this certainly sends a very strong message regarding the US commitment on Foreign Policy and improving Japan-US ties significantly. Well at least it would from the Japanese public point of view. Japan is not our enemy anymore and one of our most important allies. Just as in our constitution where the people by the people for the people have a right to have their voices heard. The Japanese people should have that same right and respect. They clearly don't want us there and it is about damn time we respect that and give them some of their dignity back. Although there are a couple other issues which would help as well.

  The second one is building a memorial for the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A formal apology from both sides would make a strong statement as well. You can't move forward of what you haven't addressed of the past. This no question would be historic and I feel would help strengthen relations further. I also feel we shouldn't pressure Japan to rearm as that is not in our right. That rests solely on the Japanese Government and it's people to decide and not outside influence. Not to mention that the non aggression Treaty would need to be nullified. Although from what I am seeing thus far Clinton is the right women for the job. As far as North Korea is concerned this is likely a more difficult one to work with. The open trade agreement is not going to change. The cat is already out of the bag on this one and we will need to find a compromise. Keeping Korea in check is a top priority not to mention a strategic one in dealing with Iran in the long run. Since Korea has been supplying Nuclear arms to Iran this only makes since. This is the only way the US could get them to the table whether Japan likes it or not. Although I feel this likely will be one of the most important issues Clinton will face in regards to US-Japan relations.

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  OssanAmerica at 01:45 AM JST - 24th January

  .All good and dandy to say 'we agree to deal with this and that >problem'; saying HOW they will is something else. Will they simply talk >about it? Will the US exert pressure on NK to resolve the abduction >issue, or merely say it needs to be resolved? Ditto for the 'global >economy'.

  Kinda funny smith...those are same questions I'd like to put to our new change & hope President.

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