I just read the news (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-22/russia-halts-talks-with-japan-on-wwii-peace-over-ukraine-stance) and this article somehow dredged up old memories.
I recall that, I wrote an article some seven years ago bout how I felt the ruling class seem to have forgotten that Japan is a SOVEREIGN nation and does not NEED to keep taking permission from the US on or about its self preservation.
I recall also, that I wrote that those in the ruling echelon NEED to go learn how to play chess !
I suggested this because as a good chess player one must always keep one's eyes open.
You must be attentive every movement on the board and have the ability to make predictions about the meaning of every move.
I recall suggesting that, there is a shift in the balance of power in the geopolitical battlefield (or geopolitical chessboard if you so feel) that, it would be foolhardy to believe that the United States of America would not put her own interests and self preservation first (even to sworn allies) or would actually be in a position to help or offer any kind of real assistance when shady events that threaten the peace begin to occur.
Ukraine, believed so much in the United States of America and her NATO.
Pause for a minute, OBSERVE carefully the trajedy that is occuring in Ukraine.
Now, lets come back home to Japan.
Wouldn't it make sense to craft deals and policies that in the best interest of Japan?
Consider the proximity of Russia to Japan, the proximity of China to Japan, the Proximity of North Korea to Japan and finally that of South Korea (though the South doesn't appear to be interested in any real conflict with Japan).
Now, would American crafted policies be the BEST for Japan?
Does Japan understand her neighbours ?
Is Japan familiar with the geo-political and geo-economic interests of these neighbours and how those interest might impact Japan?
There are so many things to consider on this geo-political and geo-economic chessboard that it borders on irresponsibility as a player in this space to ask a fellow player to keep his eyes on the board on your behalf.
Lets learn from the ongoing events in Ukraine. Where is America and her toothless NATO when Ukraine needs them?
What is the guarantee that if this were Japan, America and her toothless NATO would not stand idly by watching as Japanese jump into the Poseidon sea?
Until the leading or ruling echelon remember that Japan is a Sovereign Nation, there is no doubt in my mind that they would not only continue to loose grounds to these neighours, they would absolutely be unable to protect the sovereingnty of Japan and I fear that Japan may end up being annexed by the most powerful of these neighbours.
You know I don't know anything, I'm just thinking out aloud.