Obama mulls over war options on Japan trip
President Barack Obama arrived in Tokyo today aiming to shore up relations with a new Japanese government that vows to be more assertive with its US ally.
While public remarks from Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama are expected to stress their countries’ enduring alliance, Obama’s visit comes at a time of uncertainty in relations.
Hatoyama has promised to end Japan’s Indian Ocean refuelling mission that supports US-led forces in Afghanistan and to review an agreement on relocating American troops in Japan that Washington thought was settled three years ago.
Obama arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport beginning a four-nation Asia trip, his first to the region as president.
Weighing on Obama is a pending decision on Afghan war strategy. Stopping off at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska on his way to Asia, Obama told a military audience he will commit more forces to Afghanistan only if it is vital to US interests and receives public support.
“I will not risk your lives unless it is necessary to America’s vital interests,” Obama told the troops.
“And if it is necessary,” he said, “the US of America will have your back. We’ll give you the strategy and the clear mission you deserve. We’ll give you the equipment and support you need to get the job done. And that includes public support back home.”
Afghanistan is a complicating factor in the trip to a rapidly changing Asia reordering itself around China’s surging economic and diplomatic clout.
Obama’s chief goal, the White House has said, is to demonstrate US commitment to the region.
Obama will also travel to Singapore for meetings with Southeast Asian leaders, and then to China and South Korea.
As part of an effort to shift focus away from difficult security issues, Obama and Hatoyama are expected to discuss and issue a statement on climate change, nuclear disarmament and other global issues.
Attempts to coax nuclear-armed North Korea – which occasionally threatens Japan with fiery rhetoric – to return to disarmament negotiations are likely to feature prominently, as is Iran’s nuclear programme.
