Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to undertake his first state visit to Washington in nine years, marking a significant moment in the US-Japan relationship. According to the Financial Times, the two nations are planning the biggest upgrade to their security alliance since the mutual defense treaty was signed in 1960. This move is seen as a strategic effort to counterbalance the influence of the Chinese mainland in the region.
However, the question arises: Does this \"biggest upgrade\" truly signify enhanced security measures, or is it more of a political maneuver by Kishida? Recent data reveals that Japan's core consumer price index reached a 41-year high in 2023, and the country has been surpassed by Germany as the world's third-largest economy. Additionally, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is grappling with a slush fund scandal, making Kishida the most unpopular leader in Japan since 1947, according to the Mainichi newspaper.
With the LDP preparing for a leadership election in September, Kishida is in desperate need of a diplomatic success to lift his declining approval ratings. Strengthening ties with Washington appears to be a strategic move aimed more at regaining public support than purely enhancing regional security.
For the Kishida administration, this alliance upgrade serves as a \"life-saving straw\" in the face of domestic challenges, highlighting the intricate balance between international relations and internal politics.
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Does 'biggest upgrade' in U.S.-Japan alliance mean enhanced security?
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