Japan Echo Web

Hope for Japan or U.S. Conspiracy?

What causes does the TPP uphold?

Nakano: So then what are the TPP’s causes? When the Okinawa islands were returned to Japan at the sacrifice of the fiber industry, the people said we sold thread and bought rope (nawa). There are times when we are forced to make difficult decisions knowing that some people will be cast adrift. That’s what diplomacy is all about. What causes does the TPP uphold?

Hosaka: One is that it would serve as a sort of insurance for the future, before it’s too late, as mentioned earlier. Isn’t this what is implied?

Nakano: That’s not persuasive enough. Japan is facing a national crisis caused by the earthquake. There are many farmers in the affected areas and they all oppose the TPP. But the debates over the TPP that suddenly arose made it sound as if no earthquake had taken place. This is not normal. Participating without persuasiveness or cause is one of the country’s most abnormal and thoughtless diplomatic decisions in its post-World War II history. This action seems incredibly insensitive in view of the serious situations of these times.

Okamoto: I know those negotiating are working hard, but it’s not certain whether the Diet will ratify the packages they prepared. As stated at the start of this talk, the contents are decided only through negotiations.

Even though our opinions differ, I think Mr. Nakano’s remarks have been very perceptive. The TPP must properly respond to his criticisms.

A difficult point is that even if the rulemaking that would end up at, say, a -10 level if pursued without Japan was improved to -3 with Japan’s participation, the agreement would still be rated negatively. On the other hand, it’s natural for the TPP to be criticized while the Noda Cabinet is in office because the objective of revitalizing trade is still ten years away.

Hosaka: This relates to the thoughtlessness mentioned by Mr. Nakano, but everyone seems to only be viewing things at the surface level. The TPP demands that we discern what sort of an age we are living in.

Following March 11, an American scholar who experienced the Vietnam War told me: “We went through all sorts of hardships in Vietnam. We know what sorts of brutal facts accompany wars. But what I see on TV with this disaster is even worse. Mr. Hosaka, what words of condolence can I possibly utter?”

I was so taken aback to hear his words. It tells me we are not seeing what they are seeing. Similarly with the TPP, there must be aspects we have seen and those we haven’t. We are at a time when we need to reach the deeply hidden aspects and decide what path we should take for our future.

Translated from “TPP Daironso joi vs. kaikoku (the Great TPP Debate: Maintaining Anti-Foreign Policy or Opening up the Country?), ‘Nihon no kibo ka Beikoku no inbo ka’ —Kokuron wo nibunsita TPP mondai. Sanka de Nihon ha do kawaruka?,” Bungeishunju, January 2012, pp. 144–154. (Courtesy of Bungeishunju Ltd.)