Comparing The changes in the communique issued after the meeting of the US and Japanese foreign and defense ministers late last month, the one drafted after their meeting in 2005, only makes any sense if looked at from the perspective of the communique's function and the regional security environment.
The meeting has become an important mechanism for forming a response to China's rise over the past few years, and the issues discussed primarily deal with the direction China is moving in.
The US and Japan employ a two-pronged strategic approach to cope with China's rise: They use military deterrence coupled with political and diplomatic means to influence China to move toward positive, constructive development.
The military deterrence has not changed, but the diplomatic approach aimed at inducing China to play a responsible international role shows changes in terms of rewards and punishment.
The joint US-Japan communique of 2005 stated that peace in the Taiwan Strait was a common strategic objective. The communique was a joint expression of the two countries' similar diplomatic strategies, but it also reflected Japan's more indirect approach, allowing both parties claim that there was no change in policy.
The Taiwan issue was not the focus of attention of this year's communique. Rather, it focused on encouraging China to live up to its responsibilities as a growing power. The result is that both countries can say once again that there has been no change in policy regarding Taiwan.
Two years ago, the US and Japan discussed the cross-strait issue as China was in the process of drafting its "Anti-Secession" Law. The US and Japan decided to include Taiwan in the communique primarily as a warning to China for its irresponsible behavior in planning for the law.
This time around, North Korea's nuclear saber-rattling diverted US and Japanese attention from cross-strait issues, and China's pressure on Pyongyang has helped to defuse the crisis. Beijing's constructive actions were consistent with US and Japanese interests and the communique therefore lauded China for living up to its responsibilities.
Nevertheless, diplomatic pressure alone is not likely to transform China into a peaceful and responsible nation. The US and Japan have therefore maintained strong military deterrents to contain China, but Taiwan's long-stalled arms procurement package has weakened its ability to defend itself.
It was no coincidence that American Institute in Taiwan Director Stephen Young voiced Washington's concerns over the arms bill after the US-Japan meeting was over. The continued delay of the arms-procurement bill in the legislature has caused the US to doubt Taiwan's will to defend itself.
The US is also concerned that Taiwan may relinquish its own defense responsibility, which could lead to a military imbalance and enhance risks for across the Strait.
Shen Chieh is a US-based journalist.
Translated by Lin Ya-ti
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