Reactions from Across the Pond

Stephen Horowitz
February 25, 2001

The Japanese feelings can be summed up in one word: pissed! Most of the Japanese that I have spoken to about it think that America is using its influence as the most powerful country in the world (or would that be using its power as the most influential country in the world?) to make the disaster seem like less than it really is. They tell me that if it had been, for example, a Russian sub hitting an American fishing vessel, the US government would be screaming bloody murder. Even if it wasn't that extreme, but instead was a Japanese sub hitting a US fishing vessel, that again the US would be calling down Japanese authorities. Most Japanese feel that America is taking advantage of the friendship that exists between our two countries and is also taking advantage of one of Japan's most bungling prime ministers, Prime Minister Mori.

In addition to all of that, the recent fiascoes involving the US forces on Okinawa have made the situation even worse. I don't know how much coverage this stuff gets in the US, so I'll give a brief description of events:

Early January, 2001 - A US soldier was accused of making lewd remarks to a Japanese high school girl, lifting her skirt in public, and then taking some snapshots of what he found there. The Japanese are, understandably, upset.

Late January/2001 12:00:00 PM - A warrant for the arrest of a US soldier accused of arson was issued. The soldier apparently set fire to a bar after having an argument with the bar's owner. The US military refused to hand the soldier over to Japanese authorities "pending the results of an internal, military investigation." The Japanese are, understandably, upset.

Early February, 2001 - A personal email written by Lt. Gen. Earl Hailston is leaked to the public. In this email, he wrote about the Okinawan governor and other prefectural officials, "I think they are all nuts and a bunch of wimps." Although he apologized both in a letter and in person to the governor, the governor walks out of the meeting without shaking Lt. Gen. Hailston's hand. The Japanese are, understandably, upset.

On top of all of that, pile on this Ehime Maru disaster, and I think you can get a general idea of how the Japanese feel about Americans right now.

As for myself, I think that it is still a little early to make a judgement call about America's reaction. I think that up until now, they could have handled things better and the latest news about the Navy's agreement to postpone the inquiry until March is quite upsetting. However, there is still time for America to show that it is willing to go the distance and prove that they won't take Japan's friendship for granted. For starters, raise the wreckage of the Ehime Maru or pay to have it done. Compensate the families and the owner of the ship. Apologize! Although America has officially accepted full responsibility for the accident, that is not the same as apologizing. In Japanese society, where apologies mean so much, a short, simple speech including the words "deeply apologize" given by President Bush could go a long way in helping relations get back to normal. Based on the US track record in Japan over the past few months, I think that it is necessary.