Aso and Obama make face time, make nice

By Rachel Oppenheimer

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso’s visit to the District came and went with not so much to show for it. Perhaps the meeting of the two leaders resulted in a needed affirmation of their alliance and will help them move forward together most productively in these pressing times. Aso, the first world leader to visit President Barack Obama in Washington, agreed to work with the United States president to stimulate economic demand and fight protectionism, "to work closely and urgently… to stimulate demand at home and abroad, to help other countries respond to the global crisis, [and] to unfreeze credit markets,” relayed a statement following the White House talks. Aso said that only the United States and Japan enjoyed sufficient economic strength to effect changes in the global economic recession. Obama responded in kind, adding that Japan linked America to the world economy and calling their relationship the “cornerstone of security in East-Asia.”

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had just extended an invitation to Aso last weekend during a stop in Tokyo, demonstrating the Obama administration’s willingness to work with Aso, despite his lack of domestic and worldwide support. His 24-hour visit resulted in not much more than reassurance from Obama concerning the importance of the U.S.-Japanese alliance in Asia. The two leaders talked about North Korean nuclear and missile ambitions, Afghanistan, climate change and the global economic crisis.

While Aso praised the new administration for its North Korean crisis approach as clearer than that in the Bush administration, he warned that the economic downturn has limited China’s and South Korea’s abilities to provide assistance to North Korea.

While President Obama enjoys international popularity, Prime Minister Aso struggles to stay in power. A poll released this week showed that almost four out of five Japanese voters want Prime Minister Aso to resign. The unpopular minister did not enjoy the typical White House hospitalities -- including the joint press conference and lunch -- and some analysts said that Washington foresees Aso forced out of power soon. Washington meant to send a signal to the world not of support for Aso, but of commitment to Japan as a vital partner in addressing global economic and security crises. Michael Auslin, a Japan specialist, put it best: “If we continue to wait for the next Koizumi, the next strong leader, we’re going to be waiting forever.”