Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-07-22
Jopon's Next Step

The narrow political catwalk on which
negotiators are treading in working out a
Japanese American mutual security pact was
clearly outlined in the addresses by Foreign
Minister Okazaki and Ambassador Allison as
talks began in Tokyo on terms of the agreement.
Japan and its people learned the hard
way of the evils of a thoroughly militaristic
rule. The postwar psychology of the island
empire has been one of fear and adherence
OF the return of such controlling philosophy
of government and none of the major political
parties in this period has let down its guard
against a return to militarism or even any
substantial approach to it. For this reason
the whole subject of Japanese rearmament
even to point where the country would be
able to defend itself, has been treated gingerly
and reluctantly.
At the same time, the leadership in Japa-
nese government is fully aware that the country
is a blue-ribbon prize in the world conflict
between the Communist bloc and the non
Communist nations-a tempting objective for
aggression by the first and vitality important
anchor of Pacifc-Far Eastern defense for the
latter. There has been abundant evidence that
the mass sentiment in Japan, and certainly
within its government, favors association with
the non-Communist powers, particularly with
the United States. There is comparable aware
ness that Japan cannot rely indefinitely for its
security upon the maintenance of an American
garrison, a solution which could not command
popular support in either country for an I'M
limited period of years.
The peace treaty reflected these consider
atoms in opening the way for japanese asso-
citation with the United Nations security system
and for relating the country's defense to the
American Pacific strategy. bilateral security
pact with the United States became effective
simultaneously with the treaty. in April, 1882
1t is, in effect the augmentation of that
pact that is now under discussion, but with
emphasis upon the reservations which are
calculated to allay the fears of a revival of
militarism. Both Mr.. Okazak and Mr. Allison,
for example, made the point that the rebuilding
of Japan's defenseS would be undertaken within
the limits Of her political and economic sta
bility" Preliminary notes exchanged on the
subject made 1t clear that the country would
not be presumed into meeting specific military
goals prescribed by the United States and that
commitments would not be required binding
Japan to send its new forces outside its own
island territories. STILL as Mr.. Allison said, the
granting of military assistance to Japan under
terms OF the mutual security program must
conform to the general conditions for such aid
Despite the political reservations within
Japan, that country no doubt will accept its
full obligations to re-establish its own ranking
as f1rst-claSS power. In the long run, Japan's
future depends both economically and militarily
upon partnership with other nations. The
West, and again the United States in particular,
Is offering this partnership within terms which
are designed for neither warmaking, in an
aggressive sense, nor for subservience.