With regard to North Korea, we consult intensively. We've recently seen progress in the talks due to the cooperation between Japan, the United States and South Korea. When the United States has taken decisive actions to restore peace around the world, Japan has always supported it. Recent examples are the air strike on Iraq in December 98 and the military action in Kosovo. We do so not because the United States is the most powerful country in the world, but because we share the common values and principles and our interests largely overlap.
Japan strongly supports U.S. leadership in the world.
The historian Arnold Toynbee said, America is a large, friendly dog in a very small room. Every time it wags its tail it knocks over a chair. Yes, the United States knocks over some chairs now and then. It is hard to be so influential and powerful and not do so. What I don't think many Americans fully realize is WHY America is the world's leader . . .