A collapsing yen drives down the price of Japanese products. As a result, the other trade-dependent countries of Asia sell less of their own goods and their economies take another wrenching downturn. By traveling to Beijing while all this was happening, rather than to Tokyo, President Clinton allowed Beijing to pose as the region's statesman and rescuer. During his China trip, President Clinton criticized Japan for its inaction in the midst of Asia's ongoing economic crisis. The president made matters worse by refusing even to stop in Tokyo on his way home.
Perception is a critical element of diplomacy.
Japan's perception is that the United States, unilaterally and without justification, is backing away from its historic commitments to Taiwan. This unnerves many diplomats in Tokyo, who share Taiwan's concerns about Beijing's military ambitions. The administration has sent other unnerving signals to Tokyo as well. For example, it took the White House far too long to appoint a new ambassador to Tokyo after Walter Mondale stepped down in 1996. Certainly, many criticisms of the world's No. 2 economic superpower are warranted.