Photos by Hiromi Iguchi
With two new administrations in power and a long-standing security treaty up for review on the eve of its 50th anniversary, the relationship between the United States and Japan is about to take a new turn. And with newcomers like China adding another dynamic, things may not be as cut-and-dry between the two countries as it has been in the past. We talk with Nicole Piasecki, president of Boeing Japan, and David Satterwhite, executive director of Fulbright Japan, to offer insight on how the playing field is changing and what it means for American business in Japan.
Journal: Obama has been called the “first pacific president,” putting himself in a good position to revitalize America’s relationship with Asia. But do you think there’s been a decline of American influence in Japan?
Nicole Piasecki
President, Boeing Japan
Nicole Piasecki: No, I don’t. I think we’re working on really important global issues right now, and leaders are focused on their own domestic economies and issues. That is where the focus should be because these problems are so large. I really don’t feel that that diminishes the role of America. But I do think all of us are a little less trusting of the financial system than we were. It’s not about the Japanese themselves being less trusting; I think Americans themselves have the same skepticism and desire to strengthen the regulatory environment.
David Satterwhite: I see the potential decline of the U.S. influence in several dimensions. One, there’s no question that the trust of the U.S. over the past eight years has declined, partially because of the attitude of the previous administration. There was a close working relationship between the two leaderships, but the public perception of the U.S., taking a more unilateral approach to world issues, I think led to a reduction of respect for it as a global leader. Second, I think there has been a growing sense here that the long years of a close relationship have not had the United States treat Japan as an equal partner.
On one hand, our people in a position of influence say this isn’t true, but many here felt that Japan needed to be more of its own player in the world. Thirdly, a whole host of issues have led to a dramatic 13.9 percent decline in the number of Japanese students going to the U.S., the sharpest decline of any country last year. This example of the Japanese public not going off and seeking opportunities in the States, deepening the two countries’ relationship, is a very serious long-term trend.
David Satterwhite
Executive Director, Fulbright Japan
It’s President Obama himself emphasizing his Pacific roots, though, and he’s very popular here. In that sense there’s something of a rejuvenation of admiration for the U.S., I think.
J: How do you think Obama can strike a balance between U.S.-China and U.S.-Japan relations?
DS: President Obama emphasized the absolute importance of the existing alliances that the U.S. has with Japan and South Korea, but he also emphasized seeing it as a win-win situation and an opportunity to have better relations with China. I don’t see the relationship between the U.S. and China as detrimental between the U.S. and Japan, and the president and others have characterized both of these as extremely important relationships that should be seen in concert rather than in conflict.
NP: And I would even add to that the converse, that American business would invite a stronger relationship between Japan and China as healthy to us all. The new Hatoyama administration reaching out to China to create a relationship ultimately provides more balance, more communication channels. And there is something in my mind that is foundational about the U.S.-Japan relationship, using collective leadership and common values to project on China those things that we see as priorities. It’s a real opportunity for us to strengthen China and put them on the world stage as a fair player.
