Arab News Japan
TOKYO: HAYASHI Yoshimasa, one of the frontrunners to become president of Japan’s ruling Liberal-Democratic Party and the next Prime Minister, says Japan’s alliance with the United States will still be one of the cornerstones of the country’s defense and foreign policies.
“Whichever party is in the White House, the US-Japan alliance, is stronger than ever, so I hope that both sides, both parties understand the strengths and importance of this alliance,” he told a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan on Monday.
Hayashi, 63, is currently the Chief Cabinet Secretary and has held a number of high-level posts, including Minister of Defense, Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Education and Foreign Minister. Hayashi is also fluent in English and now holds the most senior post in the government after Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio, who is stepping down as leader after a financing scandal within the LDP.
Hayashi sees the world at a crucial juncture, with shifts in alliances and power. “It’s all changing because other players like India, China and the BRICS countries are becoming stronger,” Hayashi said. He noted that the United Nations Security Council had become less able to act, particularly with the situation in Ukraine, because of the veto power of the five permanent members, which includes Russia. As such, he added, the G7 countries have become more of a power bloc.
“We are really seeing a new scene in the international arena, and you need really good experience and also a good sense of what’s coming next,” he said. “Russia is a neighbor for Ukraine but is also a neighbor for us. On the top of this, we have North Korea declaring themselves as a nuclear country and at the same time China’s challenge is becoming bigger and bigger.”
“So, we are working based on the US-Japan Alliance together with other like-minded countries, and we have to have a solid foreign policy and defense policy, and I really think that we need a very experienced manager for the country now.”